Lowestoft gave a debut to loan signing Harry Barbrook with fellow new signing Joao Rangel starting on the bench when they entertained promotion favourites AFC Telford United.

Lowestoft are making a habit of making a slow start and Saturday was no exception with Telford faster in all areas of the pitch as they were close to taking the lead after only three minutes when it took the combined efforts of Luke Holt and Travis Cole to turn a shot from Ricardo Dinanga around the post, writes Terry Lynes.

The reprieve was shortlived however as the Bucks moved ahead just two minutes later.

Lowestoft were completely outsmarted by a quickly taken free kick which sent Ellis Myles-Tebbut clear and when Holt could only parry his shot Byron Moore scooped in the rebound.

Harvey Sayer saw his 18-yard drive turned around the upright by Brendan Hall and Owen Murphy’s excellent cross was headed away for a corner by Myles-Tebbutt inches in front of Jake Reed.

At this stage Lowestoft were gaining a foothold in the game but they were hit by a second Telford goal in the 25th minute.

Some neat footwork by the dangerous Dinanga created the opening for Jimmy Armson to place the ball past Holt from 10 yards.

Lowestoft started the second half more aggressively and they were so close to reducing the arrears when Reed met a Kyle Haylock cross but the ball rebounded off the keeper onto Alex Gudger and back into the keeper’s hands.

Dinanga was continuing to look the major threat for Lowestoft and Holt did well to block his shot.

Telford seemed to be content to defend their lead allowing Lowestoft to press them more effectively than in the first half and from a Sayer cross and Haylock's flick Barbrook got in a close range header that was held by Hall.

Lowestoft sent on Rangel for his debut with 20 minutes to play and he added more pace to the Lowestoft attack.

Louis McIntosh picked out Clarke’s run but he was denied by weight of numbers, before the goal Lowestoft deserved arrived in the 76th minute.

Johnson’s fierce drive bounced up off Hall for Reed to nod the ball into the net from six yards.

Lowestoft were well on top now and were so close to an equaliser In the 85th minute but Sayer’s 20-yard rocket was turned around the post by Hall’s flying save.

TEAMS: LOWESTOFT TOWN: Holt, Norman, Barbrook, McIntosh, Cole, Hazell, Haylock (sub Rangel 69), Murphy (sub Clarke 65), Reed, Sayer (sub Overton 87), Johnson (sub Haddoch 90). Sub (not used) Eagle.

AFC TELFORD UNITED: Hall, Myles-Tebbutt, Fox, Storer (sub Piggott 61), Pendley, Gudger, Walker (sub Hilton 80), Armson, Angus (sub Jones 90), Dinanga, Moore. Subs (not used): Burroughs, Whittall.

REFEREE: Mr M Friend

ATTENDANCE: 577

Report By Terry Lynes