It was Groundhog Day again for Andy Reynolds and his squad as they were denied a well deserved win by a goal six minutes into added on time and just 15 seconds from the final whistle, writes Terry Lynes.

To make matters worse the ball rebounded into the net off the knee of Archy Locke after Ellis Craven had pushed away Adam Murray’s downward header - what was only his second save of the game.

On a rock hard pitch Royston started at a furious pace with Lowestoft hardly having a touch of the ball in the opening 10 minutes.

Lowestoft though sprang into action on 15 minutes with Jesse Ayoola robbing Ben Weyman and sprinting forward before sending a excellent pass for Joe Duffy to unleash a drive from the edge of the area which Jamie Head did well to go full length to push inches past the post.

From Louis McIntosh’s 16th minute corner Kyle Haylock’s header was parried at the base of the post by Head and as Sam Johnson moved onto the ball he was bundled over a yard from the goal by Aaron Greene.

The penalty was awarded and Harvey Sayer converted with his usual aplomb.

Sayer was then close to adding a second with one of his trademark runs ending with his shot a fraction high.

Play continued at a fast pace with The Crows possibly having the greater share of possession but the determined Trawlerboys were denying them any clear cut chances and what efforts they were able to muster were from distance and usually high and wide.

Lowestoft desperately needed a second goal and went so close as Joao Rangel spread the ball from left to right to Sayer whose cross seemed perfect for Duffy to knock home until Head dived on the ball at his feet.

Craven was called into his first difficult save five minutes from time when a cross from the left skidded off somebody’s head and forced him to stretch to tip over the bar.

Then seconds from the final whistle that one last free kick shattered The Trawlerboys afternoon.

TEAMS - ROYSTON TOWN: Head, Asafu-Adjaya, Brighton, Coldecott-Stevens (sub Luke Johnson 61), Murray, Beckett (sub Rookard 81), Weyman, Dawodu, Greene, Harness (sub Baker 81), Locke. Subs (not used): Akubuine, Anyadike.

LOWESTOFT TOWN: Craven, Norman, Ruffles, McIntosh, Cole, Ayoola, Duffy, Sam Johnson, Rangel (sub Overton 83), Sayer, Haylock. Subs (not used): Eagle, Haddoch, Ben Atkinson, Self.

ATTENDANCE: 450

REFEREE: Mr J Evans

Report by Terry Lynes