Nationwide South club Lewes have been given a major boost with the news that Paul Booth has committed his future to the Rooks.

The clubs leading scorer Booth has signed an extension to his current contract which will keep him at the Dripping Pan until at least the end of next season.

Boss Steve King was keen to resolve Booth's future as his contract was set to expire in the summer.

Booth, a summer signing from Cambridge City, has been in prolific form pf late, scoring nine goals in six games ahead of Wednesday's crucial Sussex Senior Cup semi final against Worthing at Horsham.

Although he was placed on the transfer list earlier in the season, after a poor start, boss King never wanted to lose the player whom he rates so highly, and his shock tactic seemed to go according to plan.

King told theargus.co.uk : "In his first eight games Boothy scored once and he also missed eight games through injury but his stats aside from that speak for themselves.

"It makes you wonder what he would have scored if he had been firing on all cylinders from the start.

"He will end up with 30 goals this season which is fantastic for any goalscorer at whatever level."

Lewes are still in with a chance of reaching the play-offs, although King remains cautious about his sides chances.

The Rooks boss continued: "There would be a lot of interest in Boothy at the end of the season which is why we wanted to get this sorted out now.

"It is important to show we still mean business for next year regardless of what division we are in.

"I believe Boothy is a player who could cut it in the next division up, as he proved against Crawley in the FA Cup earlier this season.

"It is great for the club that he has decided to commit his future to us."