HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS 4 LOWESTOFT TOWN 4

In a game of fluctuating fortunes, Lowestoft Town staged a dramatic late recovery to collect the point that virtually ensures a home tie in the play offs.

The Trawlerboys could well have thought the fates were against them as already short or four first team players they had Owen Murphy pull out of the side five minutes before kick off and then lost inspirational skipper Travis Cole after just five minutes.

In Heybridge’s first attack Cole went down injured making the tackle and had to be replaced by Sam Nunn.

Heybridge took the lead after 37 minutes. There seemed little danger as Warren Burwood came out to clear but his kick was charged down by Matthew Price who squared the ball to Sam Park for a simple tap in.

Lowestoft responded immediately and levelled the scores just six minutes later when a flowing move featuring four players ended with Adam Hipperson curling the ball into the top corner from the corner of the penalty area.

The Swifts restored their lead five minutes after the break when a goalmouth scramble ended with Price scoring from close range.

Heybridge increased their lead in the 58th minute when Park running through from an apparent offside position fell in the area after a Dylan Ruffles tackle and Rob Harvey sent Burwood the wrong way from the spot.

Lowestoft immediately struck back and from a Louis McIntosh corner a clear handball in the box gave Lowestoft a penalty of their own which Hipperson calmly converted. Heybridge though again came back and the Lowestoft defence was caught out as a Callum Taylor pass sent Price through to round Burwood for a fourth goal.

Lowestoft though refused to lie down with substitute Josh Harvey taking advantage of Thomas Wray’s slip to hit into an empty net seven minutes from time.

When Haylock was brought down in the area after minimal contact Hipperson slammed home his second penalty to complete his hat trick.

With Lowestoft now dominating there was almost a third penalty when Shaun Bammant was brought down in the area, but on this occasion it was not given.