Champions-elect Lowestoft inch closer to title

Lowestoft Town FC have extended their lead at the top of the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division - and moved closer to sealing promotion.

The Trawlerboys triumphed after another tough trip to Essex last Saturday, with a fine 1-2 away win at Witham making it four games unbeaten.

Harvey Sayer confidently converted a penalty for his 23rd league goal of the season - and 26th of the campaign thus far - in the 35th minute.

Witham equalised from their first real effort at goal just five minutes later when Archie McFadden headed home.

But just five minutes after the break, the league's leading goalscorer - Jake Reed  nonchalantly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper for his 29th league goal of the season and 34th in all competitions thus far. 

Victory moved Jamie Godbold's men onto 75 points - initially seven clear of second placed Felixstowe & Walton United.

But previously fourth placed Bowers & Pitsea moved into second following a midweek away win at Brentwood, meaning they are five points behind the Trawlerboys and they still have three games to play.

With Lowestoft having already sealed a place in the play-offs, 79 points remains the magic number - with The Trawlerboys having two league games remaining.

But with their superior goal difference, one win could still be enough to seal the title given the other challenging teams fixtures.

With Lowestoft without a game this weekend - as they are the odd one out of the league's 19 sides - they are next in action at 15th placed New Salamis on April 20.

Before then the challenging pack will be in action - with third placed Felixstowe & Walton United seven points behind Lowestoft with three games to go, fourth placed Bury are eight points behind with three games to go, while fifth placed Brentwood Town have four games to go but are 12 points behind with an inferior goal difference.

With Lowestoft having a weekend off, it means Bowers & Pitsea can cut the gap to two points with victory at Basildon United.