Jack Parter fired home in the 16th minute to give the Bay the lead before Kieron Campbell doubled that advantage minutes later with a brilliantly taken free kick.

Tushaun Walters added a third goal in the 23rd minute, his first since returning to the club on loan, handing Ben Smith’s side a three-goal lead.

Rory Smith converted from the spot just before the break to effectively put the game beyond Lewes’ reach with half a game of football still to play.

The visitors scored a goal eight minutes from full time, with Joseph Taylor scoring a penalty of his own, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the Rooks as the Bay secured their first league win since August.

Aiming to avoid a third successive loss in all competitions, Ben Smith’s side would have been hoping for a fast start. However, Lewes looked the more threatening early on, with Michael Klass’ shot forcing Jordan Perrin into action after only three minutes.

However, without a home league win this season, the pressure was on the men in blue to get that first win under their belts.

With nine minutes on the clock, Troy Williams, returning to the side after a brief period away from the club, went on a surging run down the wing before cutting the ball back to Mike West.

From the edge of the Lewes penalty area, the experienced midfielder could only direct his shot a couple of inches over the visiting goal.

Against a side with packed full of former National League talent, it was always going to be a tough challenge to overcome the Rooks, with Rhys Murrell-Williamson, formerly of Braintree Town, Woking, and Boreham Wood, blazing over in the 13th minute.

But the Bay were more than up for it and three minutes later, they managed to make the breakthrough, with Parter firing home from inside the Lewes penalty area.

Guilty in previous games of not building on these advantages, Smith’s side set about righting those wrongs and just under three minutes later, they bagged their second of the evening.

Stepping up to take a free-kick placed about 25-yards out from goal, Campbell left Lewes shot-stopper Lewis Carey no chance when he curled the ball into the top corner, sending the crowd at the MBS Stadium into raptures.

The visitors were rocking and after a heated moment in which several players from both sides picked up yellow cards, they found themselves three goals down when Walters hammered the ball home for his first goal since returning to the club on loan from National League side Maidstone United.

The Bay were in a rampant mood but needed to be alert as Lewes tried what they could to silence the home support. They did have the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was ruled off for offside, a decision which was disputed by the referee but ultimately the linesman won the argument.

Despite being three goals to the good, the hosts were still pushing forward in search of another goal and moments after seeing a Lewes header drift agonisingly wide of Perrin’s net, they were presented a golden chance to increase their lead to four when awarded a penalty in the 40th minute.

Stepping up to take it, Smith sent Carey the wrong way to bag his fourth goal of the season and the Bay’s fourth goal of the game.

Confidence was flowing throughout the Bay side and in the 43rd minute, West tried his luck from all of thirty yards out, only to see the ball drift narrowly wide.

Seconds before the ref blew his whistle for half time, Lewes could have given themselves a vital boost when a goal bound effort looked certain to be hitting the back of the net. They were left frustrated when Daniel Johnson got himself behind the ball to clear it off the Bay goal line.

Changes were made at the break by both sides, with Lewes midfielder Michael Klass not taking too kindly to being replaced, but still the visitors were struggling to create chances of note to test the Bay defence.

With the hosts content to sit back and defend their lead, the pace of the game slowed somewhat but with 60 minutes on the clock, Lewes were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Bay penalty area for what we think was a time wasting offence.

After a brief stoppage, the set piece was fired low into the wall before the ball was eventually hooked clear.

It was proving to be a frustrating night for the visitors who were once again denied a goal by the linesman flag in the 66th minute.

Tempers then boiled over 60 seconds later when a late challenge on Marcel Barrington caused both sides to come together on the pitch. A booking for Bradley Pritchard soon followed.

It could have gotten so much worse for Lewes a moment or two down the line when, after another free-kick was awarded in the Bay’s favour, TT’s thunderous drive crashed against the upright before the visiting defence recovered the situation.

With just over a quarter of the game to play, it seemed like a fifth goal was not that unrealistic an expectation for the Bay and after good play between Campbell and Parter, Smith had the opportunity to double his tally for the day, only to fire wide from close range.

With the game well and truly beyond their reach, Lewes were at least given a chance to get come away with a goal to their name when awarded a penalty despite the offence taking place outside the penalty area.

Taylor stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake, giving the travelling faithful something to cheer before they made the long journey home.

Final Score: Herne Bay 4 Lewes 1

Herne Bay Starting XI: Jordan Perrin, Troy Williams, Jack Parter, Laurence Harvey ©, Daniel Johnson, Tushaun Walters, Mason Saunders-Henry (Marcel Barrington 46’), Rory Smith (Eddie Allsopp 77’), Kieron Campbell, Bode Anidugbe, Mike West (Helge Orome 57’)

Unused Subs: Chris Edwards, Kymani Thomas