HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS bowed out of the FA Trophy tonight after a heart-breaking 3-2 defeat at home to Lewes.

The sides met in a second qualifying round replay at Scraley Road, after drawing 1-1 in Sussex last Wednesday.

But it was the visitors who advanced to the next stage thanks to a winning goal in the 70th minute.

Prior to that, Heybridge had come from behind twice thanks to goals from Reece Morgan and Michael Fitzgibbon.

Lewes took the lead four minutes before the break after a left-wing cross was headed in by substitute Leroy Griffiths.

Swifts were back on level terms in the last few seconds of the half, though.

Billy Hunt capitalised on a misplaced pass but his effort struck team-mate Danny Lopes, who then had a shot parried by goalkeeper Rikki Banks.

However, Reece Morgan was perfectly placed to smash into the net from close range.

Lewes regained their lead shortly before the hour-mark after a driven effort from the left by Griffiths.

The ball deflected into the air and was pushed away by diving goalkeeper Danny Sambridge, but Jordan Badger pounced from close range to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Michael Fitzgibbon turned in a left-wing delivery to make it all-square on 68 minutes.

But the parity only lasted two minutes as Sam Cole pounced at the far post, following a corner, to put Lewes back in front again at 3-2.

It was an advantage the Ryman Premier side protected until the end and they now face a third-round trip to Oxford City on Saturday.