Lowestoft narrowly lost out at Spalding following a five-goal thriller.

In a game that saw both teams finish with 10 men, 12 yellow cards were shown on the night.

Without striker Jake Reed, and having made changes from the defeat at Kettering The Trawlerboys took control in the first half.

A first Lowestoft goal for Gabe Overton gave The Blues the lead in the 25th minute, and it soon became 0-2 after midfielder Flynn Clarke's fine finish put The Trawlerboys into the ascendancy.

But a goal from former Derby striker Bartosz Cybulski - who had only joined The Tulips on Tuesday from King's Lynn for an undisclosed fee - made it 1-2 just before the interval.

The 6ft 6in striker stuck out a leg to make it 1-2 in the 43rd minute.

This gave the hosts the momentum, and they came out firing in the second half.

Cybulski equalised for the hosts in the 82nd minute following a corner, that was given despite much angst from away side.

And as the protests continued after the equaliser, Lowestoft skipper Travis Cole was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Home team substitute Chettle's free kick in the 86th minute proved to be the winner, but there was still time for Sherif to be sent off for a second booking.

Afterwards Blues boss Jamie Godbold said: "It was really disappointing after what was a really positive first half for us.

"We came out with real belief and we moved the ball around really well.

"Gabe managed to score his first goal for us and we're really pleased for him to get his season up and running.

"Flynn added a second and we were well on top.

"But the game changing moment was the goal just before the interval from their new signing from King's Lynn, who they paid an undisclosed fee for, who stuck out a leg and it went in the bottom corner.

"That changed the game, they came out for the second half extremely fired up and I felt we did not match that.

"As they got more and more people up the pitch, we could not get out of our half and we conceded two set piece goals which was extremely disappointing.

"Although the corner that came in for their equaliser was never a corner.

"While there were some bad decisions made throughout the game, we made some too with a bit of ill discipline at times when we have got yellow cards for reacting - we have to walk away from the bad challenges and let the officials deal with it."