Harrogate Town’s first visit to Suffolk saw them hold the “Trawlerboys” to a goalless draw.
Harrogate soon shrugged off the dust from their five hour journey and dominated the first quarter.
Matt Bloomer headed a Rhys Meynell centre over the top and a searching crossfield pass by James Walshaw enabled Jake Speight to set up Jonathan Margetts, who unfortunately shot tamely at Ashlee Jones.
Town were soon made to realise that they had a fight on their hands when a magnificent turn and shot from the edge of the area by Louis Jefferson stretched Phil Barnes to the utmost.
On twenty minutes Harrogate thought that they had taken the lead when Erkan Okay brought down Walshaw.Jones spilt Walshaw’s ensuing free kick and Speight stabbed the ball in,only to be denied by an offside flag.
Lowestoft, roared on by a large partisan crowd began to hit back strongly.
Robert Eagle began to find room on the left and from one of his cut backs Henderson brought out a fine save from Barnes.Minutes later the powerful striker repeated the dose when he broke through and unleashed a twenty yards screamer which Barnes did well to keep out.
The half ended with Adam Smith sending Eagle down the left and his cross caused a goalmouth scramble in which Lloyd Kerry finally cleared off the line.
Harrogate again made a quick start in the second half with Walshaw heading a Meynell free kick past the post.
Dominic Rowe and Adam Nowakowski replaced Speight and Ryan Kendall respectively and Town began to play with more fluidity.
Rowe began to torment the home defence and went close with a chip just wide of the far post, before making a mazy run which ended in a cross shot which Jones was at full stretch to turn round the post.
As the game neared its climax, Margetts won the ball in midfield and created a good chance for Walshaw who slipped in the act of shooting and skied well over.
Lowestoft made a late effort to claim all three points and Matt Heath had to make a timely clearance to stop Jack Ainsley’s low cross,while deep into the four minutes stoppage time, Rickie Hales headed Chris Henderson’s free kick narrowly wide.
Town
1 Barnes, 2 Bloomer, 3 Meynell, 4 Lenighan, 5 Heath, 6 McGurk, 7 Kerry, 8 Kendall ( Nowakowski 65), 9 Margetts (Swain 88), 10 Walshaw, 11 Speight ( Rowe 52).
Unused subs, 13 Crook, 16 Franks.
Bookings Lenighan,Heath,Kendall,Walshaw. Att.818
By John Harrison
