Lowestoft: Blues bounce back to seal sixth successive win

If ever a game was ripe for an upset it was this one as third placed Lowestoft - just one defeat in 15 - took on third bottom Hullbridge Sports with just one win in 12, including defeats in their last five.

For over an hour that upset seemed on before Lowestoft netted three in the final 20 minutes.

Hullbridge took the lead in the seventh minute as Guy Norton raced into the area and set up Martin Touhy to slide the ball past Warren Burwood.

In the 11th minute an injury to Owen Murphy saw Josh Harvey inroduced but the changes seemed to unsettle the home side and it needed a great save from Burwood to deny Sports.

However from a left wing corner the ball was partially cleared to Adam Topley who drove it home to double Hullbridge’s lead.

Harry Knights celebrates. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Lowestoft needed a quick response and it came just three minutes later when Harry Knights forced Robert Eagle's corner in at the far post.

Lowestoft continued to look a bit lethargic but a rare assist from keeper Burwood saw his long fly kick drop nicely over Kyle Haylock’s shoulder for him to volley a spectacular equaliser in the 71st minute.

Kyle Haylock celebrates. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Burwood blocked Jake Gordon's 82nd minute shot with Norton blazing the rebound over.

A rejuvenated Lowestoft continued to press for a winner and seven minutes from time neat interplay from Jake Reed and Sam Johnson ended with Harvey rising high to head home.

Josh Harvey heads home. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Eleven minutes into added time the Hullbridge keeper, who had moved up for a corner, was caught in possession in the Lowestoft half leaving three Trawlerboys heading for the unguarded goal resulting in Travis Cole being brought down in the area and Topley seeing red.

Cole slammed home the penalty to seal the victory.