The Trawlerboys sealed their place in the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division for next season with a remarkable turnaround that has seen them move out of the relegation places and climb into 16th place - five points ahead of the drop on 46 points after 41 matches with still a game to play.

Back on March 21, following successive defeats against Newmarket Town and already relegated Brantham Athletic, Lowestoft found themselves in the bottom four staring at relegation, having lost six games and drawn one in a run of seven matches without a win.

Step forward to the joyous scenes at the end of a nervy 90 minutes at The EMR Stadium in Essex on Saturday - as players, directors and supporters all embraced each other at the final whistle.

Safety was sealed with a 1-2 away win at Grays Athletic, who had started the day in 16th place and one point ahead of Lowestoft.

Goals in either half from Aaron Bullent (21) and Kyle Haylock (65) completed the turnaround as a fourth victory in the past five matches over a busy spell of 21 days was secured - and the celebrations were justifiably deserved for Robert Eagle's men.

Not even a late Grays goal in the 85th minute could deny The Trawlerboys, with the Great Escape hailed by club officials.

It comes after Eagle - who returned to the starting line up at the weekend due to further injuries - had been given the task of improving club morale and avoiding relegation at the start of February.

Lowestoft had moved out of the relegation places after a crucial home victory in the battle to beat the drop last time out at Crown Meadow on April 11.

The Trawlerboys made it three wins from their last four games following an important second successive home victory against Heybridge Swifts.

Goals in either half from Luca Upton, in the 44th minute, and Mitch Belmar in the 65th minute secured another vital three points as Lowestoft beat the already relegated Swifts 2-0.

This victory combined with results elsewhere in the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division saw Lowestoft move up a place from the final relegation spot in 19th place up to 18th.

They swapped places with Mildenhall Town, who dropped from 18th to 19th following a 3-1 loss at league leaders Maldon & Tiptree.

Victory saw Lowestoft also move to within only one point of the two teams immediately above them - Takeley and Grays - ahead of last weekend's action.

This meant that with the final two games four teams - Grays, Takeley, Lowestoft and Mildenhall - were all involved in the battle to beat the drop and avoid the final relegation spot.

As Grays entertained Lowestoft last Saturday, the 1-2 victory for The Trawlerboys meant safety was sealed for Lowestoft, while Grays are three points clear of the drop as they play sixth placed Gorleston away on the final day.

Takeley lost 4-0 at Brightlingsea Regent last weekend and are now 18th in the table, three points ahead of the final relegation spot, as they host eighth placed Wroxham tomorrow.

Mildenhall remain in the final relegation place in 19th, after a 1-3 defeat to Walthamstow and they face second placed Felixstowe and Walton United on the final day needing the three points win while also hoping other results also go their way.

Lowestoft's season concludes with a home encounter at Crown Meadow against 11th placed Brightlingsea Regent, 3pm KO, tomorrow - and a call to all to get behind the players.

A club spokesman said: "Let's get behind The Trawlerboys and celebrate together!"

Gates open from noon, with U16s free to attend with a paying adult on the gate.

There will be special offers on the day, as well as stalls, an ice cream van, gaming truck and a pre-match penalty shootout.

After the game the players presentation evening is held with live entertainment from 5pm to 8pm.