Lowestoft manager Andy Reynolds is learning how tough and cruel football can be when you are down at the wrong end of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central Division, writes Terry Lynes.

Saturday was a prime example as with his side one goal ahead and dealing comfortably with the direct Harborough attacks as they looked the more likely to score, the game was held up for 12 minutes in a bizarre incident which saw the referee collapse in the centre circle.

There was about 20 minutes to play when it occurred and despite an appeal going out for a qualified referee in the crowd, the referee decided he was fit to continue with play restarting with a bounced ball to Harborough’s favour.

From the restart Lowestoft were caught cold as the home side went straight down and levelled the scores with Riley O’Sullivan heading home from close range after Ben Stephens header had been pushed onto the bar.

Even worse was to follow as with 14 of the 15 added-on minutes having been played a break down the left, a low cross and a sliced shot from O’Sullivan ran perfectly for Stephens to stab home at the far post.

Harborough had started the game at a fast pace with Luis Rose curling just too high from 20 yards.

Ellis Craven then produced three excellent diving saves to foil Rose, Ben Starkie and Robert Morgan.

After about 20 minutes Lowestoft started to come more into the game and on the true flat surface of the 4G pitch their quick passing game and the speed and interchanging of the front three of Joe Duffy, Joao Rangel and Harvey Sayer started to cause the very tall but rather static home defence numerous problems.

It was slightly against the run of play then when Lowestoft took a 25th minute lead.

Duffy moved onto Sayer's square pass and seeing Elliott Taylor off his line he sent a delightful lob over the keeper and in off the underside of the bar from 30 yards.

Harborough had been reduced to 10 men after 50 minutes with Connor Kennedy seeing red for a challenge on Sayer.

An excellent performance all round by The Trawlerboys - but they were denied the point at least that they deserved.

TEAMS: HARBOROUGH TOWN: Taylor, Cooper (Sub O’Sullivan 65), Walsh, Dolman (Sub Williams 20), Kennedy, Morris, Starkie (Sub Forbes 90+3), Morgan, Rose (Sub Malone 68), Robinson (Sub Stephens 46), Burgess.

LOWESTOFT TOWN: Craven, Norman (Sub Blogg 90+12), Haddoch, McIntosh (Sub Eagle 90+1), Ruffles, Ayoola, Duffy (Sub Aldous 77), Johnson, Rangel, Sayer(Sub Overton 90+1), Haylock.

REFEREE: M Beard

Report by Terry Lynes