Lowestoft Town were denied in stoppage time after a superb strike sealed a 2-1 victory for an Ipswich Town U23s side at Crown Meadow.
An entertaining pre season friendly saw Lowestoft perform well in front of 306 fans on Tuesday evening.
It was the second home match that supporters of The Trawlerboys and football followers had been able to enjoy at Crown Meadow since the coronavirus lockdown.
Staff and volunteers at Lowestoft Town FC have been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure the safety of fans as the club works within the government and FA guidelines.
With Terry Butcher and Gerard Nash in the opposition dugout, the Ipswich U23 side started positively, but it was Jamie Godbold’s men who created the game’s first chance.
Jacek Zielonka’s superb cross found Jake Reed, but the hitman headed wide on 10 minutes.
The game swung to the other end and as Oppong raced clear Adam Tann’s tackle initially denied the striker until he collided with keeper Luis Tibbles. Oppong then knocked the ball into the unguarded net, but left back Jack Wilkinson superbly cleared the ball off the line.
Tibbles saved well from Ben Folami’s effort, before the Trawlerboys thought they had taken the lead in the 22nd minute.
Zielonka’s corner curled over everyone, with keeper Lewis Ridd beaten, but the ball hit the inside of the far post and was cleared.
Ridd then parried Zielonka’s shot wide, but The Trawlerboys number seven was not to be denied a third time on 30 minutes.
After cutting in from right hand side, Zielonka’s fine left footed drive from well outside the area beat Ridd’s despairing dive.
Tibbles then saved McGavin’s low free-kick as Ipswich U23 hit back, and in the 40th minute the visitors were awarded a penalty despite protests from the Blues defenders.
Folami took the penalty after being fouled, but Tibbles dived to his left and produced a stunning save as he pushed the ball up and onto the bar, before gathering the loose ball.
Lowestoft started the second half well with Higgs prominent on the left hand side. Reed went close from an inswinging cross, before Jack Wilkinson was injured following an attempted cross.
Sub Travis Cole made a superb last ditch tackle in the 65th minute, before Reed headed wide at the other end.
The visitors equalised with 20 minutes remaining following a goalmouth scramble as McGavin slotted home after Cole had cleared the ball off the line.
Higgs continued to pose problems for the Ipswich defenders, but The Blues were stung by a late winner.
In stoppage time substitute Gibbs’ stunning 30-yard strike flew into the top corner to seal the win.
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