Leatherhead 1 Lowestoft Town 2

Manager Micky Chapman though was upbeat after the game pleased that his side had picked up another three points.

The Trawlerboys fielded exactly the same line up which had looked so impressive the previous week against Concord Rangers and they started the game producing the same level of performance.

Leatherhead were forced back as the Blues put them under constant pressure but without finding a clear cut opening. The combination of Lubo Guentchev and Andrew Cave-Brown were causing problems for the home defence down the Blues right wing but the final cross was being confidently dealt with by the Tanners keeper Chico Ramos.

However Lowestoft should have taken the lead as Guentchev retrieved the ball from Nathan Simpson, cut inside from the byeline and crossed low across the face of the goal but Chris Henderson racing in from the other flank somehow completely missed the ball.

Lowestoft’s pressure was finally rewarded in the 25th minute as they took the lead. Guentchev picked up the ball in midfield, cut inside his marked and picked out Matt Nolan who went past Danny Gainsford and keeper Ramos before playing the ball back into the middle where Guentchev had continued his run to the near post to turn the ball into the net.

Having taken the lead Lowestoft seemed to take the foot of the pedal allowing Leatherhead to get back into the game. The warning was on the wall a Tommy Hutchings’ looping volley saw Andy Reynolds stretch to turn the ball onto the bar before collecting the rebound.

Leatherhead stunned the Blues by levelling the scores on the stroke of half time. Jack Macleod’s corner was cleared back out to the wing. Jake Hill collected the ball and crossed to the far post where Danny Gainsford rose high to head down past Reynolds into the net.

Leatherhead came out for the second half inspired by their equaliser and forced the Blues onto the back foot. Lowestoft though weathered the storm and regained the lead in the 62nd minute following the award of a controversial penalty. Matt Nolan’s shot from no more than 3 yards struck Gary Drewett on the hand and the referee signalled a penalty. Ramos dived to his left to parry Guentchev’s spot kick but Stuart Ainsley reacted quickest to reach the ball and to shoot home from a narrow angle.

Lowestoft survived a rather nervous final quarter to gain a rather fortunate 3 points.

Terry Lynes