With relegation from the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central Division a hair's width away, Lowestoft Town were forced to take on league leaders Bedford Town with three key players ruled out with injury and illness, writes Terry Lynes.

But the makeshift side matched their lofty visitors and can feel aggrieved by getting nothing from the game.

As expected Bedford started the match seeing much of the ball and the first opportunity fell to Leon Lobjoit who when clear clipped the ball over Warren Burwood and the crossbar.

Lowestoft were soon to show that they were not overawed as Harvey Sayer forced Jonathan Macauley into pushing his shot away and Kyle Haylock’s follow up was blocked by Elliot Simmons.

Edward Gyamfi shot wide when well placed and then Edward Panter broke through the Lowestoft defence but was foiled by a superb Charlie Norman tackle.

Lowestoft shocked the Eagles by taking the lead on the stroke of half time when Joao Rangel jinked in from the left and from 20 yards hit a tremendous drive which took a wicked deflection to sail past Macauley and inside the post.

Straight from the restart Lowestoft regained the ball and Sayer’s run into the area ended with him being brought down by Simmons and he took the spot kick himself to put Lowestoft two goals ahead.

Lowestoft made a strong start to the second half with Sayer’s dangerous low cross taken off the feet of Gabe Overton by Macauley.

Sayer and Louis McIntosh also both went close from distance.

Bedford’s main attacking option was Sam Brown’s long throw ins and it finally paid off for them in the 67th minute as substitute Tarrelle Whittaker’s first touch after coming off the bench saw his stabbed effort loop over Burwood to reduce the arrears.

Three minutes later Bedford equalised when another goalmouth scramble ended with Gyamfi volleying into the roof of the net.

The melee that followed saw Travis Cole receive a second yellow card and the goalscorer getting a straight red to reduce both teams to play out the last 20 minutes with 10 men.

Just as Lowestoft seemed to have earned a well deserved point Lobjoit muscled his way through to blast the ball into the roof of the net and confirm Lowestoft’s relegation.

TEAMS: LOWESTOFT TOWN: Burwood, Norman, Haddoch, McIntosh, Cole, McGregor (sub Howell 86), Haylock, Johnson, Overton (sub Aldous 78), Sayer, Rangel (sub Eagle 86). Subs (not used) Jack Atkinson, Yeo.

BEDFORD TOWN: Macauley, Davies (sub Whittaker 64), Brown, Simmons (sub Leshabela 46), Mensah, Green, Hilliard (sub Dawson 86), Gyamfi, Panter (sub Andrade 64), Lobjoit, (Sub Marsh 90) Blake.

REFEREE: Mr D Matthewson

ATTENDANCE: 602

Report by Terry Lynes