BROMLEY missed out on the chance to return to the top of the table last night when they were held to a draw at Hayes Lane by lowly Lewes.

The result means the Lillywhites have now recorded only one victory in their last nine league and cup fixtures.

Lewes had only four points from 11 games going into the match and they came from the opening three games to the season.

Unsurprisingly, the visitors were not expected to improve on that tally and from their first half performance you could see just why they are propping up the league table.

Bromley were no better, with lack of bite up front and no positive play from their midfield, and with both sides always struggling to string two passes together, the game turned into a drab affair.

Harrison Dunk, returning to the team from injury, lasted just 10 minutes as a crunching tackle after the ball had gone by Andrew Taiwo, who was lucky to just receive a yellow card, aggravated the previous injury.

He took no further part in the game and was replaced by Ryan Dolby.

From the subsequent Tony Finn free-kick, keeper Chris Winterton just managed to push the ball away from underneath the crossbar, while 12 minutes later Sammy Cobbs headed over from close range for the visitors.

Bromley opened the scoring on 28 minutes when Finn played a long pass to Dolby.

He looked suspiciously offside but Winterton came racing out of his goal to clear straight back to Finn, who calmly slotted home from fully 40 yards past the stranded keeper into an unguarded net.

Dolby and Jamie Crellin were both booked in the 38th minute for a skirmish which involved 16 players.

A dismal opening half ended with Finn firstly firing a free-kick straight into the keeper’s mid-rift and then sending a dipping volley narrowly over the crossbar.

The second half was no better than the first, although the visitors did look a bit more lively. Lee Carey sent a free-kick straight into Wes Foderingham’s arms after 53 minutes, substitute Paul Olima had a goal ruled out for offside a few minutes later and then Marlon Patterson wasted a free-kick for the home side by shooting wide.

Lewes levelled the scores on 72 minutes when Foderingham, under a challenge from Olima, could only punch the ball both upwards and backwards.

It appeared to cross the line before being hooked away but only as far as Tim Rivers, who promptly slammed home from around the penalty spot.

Warren McBean should have done better on 76 minutes when he rounded two defender, but his poor shot was deflected.

Lewes might even have snatched victory six minutes later when Olima crossed for Tom Murphy who just failed to tuck home.

Harry Harding shot just wide for Bromley in the final minute and Finn’s free-kick was deflected for a corner, as Bromley missed the chance to regain top spot in the table.

Bromley: Foderingham, Greene, Dunk (Dolby 13), Daly, Scarborough, Sobers, Finn, Henriques (Harding 79) Vines (McKenzie 69), McBean, Patterson. Subs not used: Ibrahima, Boyle. Att: 432.