A goal deep in added time by Lubo Guentchev earned Lowestoft an important three points in a tempestuous victory over Bury Town at Ram Meadow.

Bury had been reduced to nine men for the final 10 minutes but an inspired performance by keeper Marcus Garnham seemed to have earned them a point, until Guentchev's late strike.

The hosts took the lead inside two minutes. A long throw in from the left was not properly dealt with by the Lowestoft defence and when the ball reached Sam Reed at the edge of the area, his excellent chip left Andy Reynolds helpless.

Lowestoft gradually got into the game and a Reynolds free-kick was nodded on by Matt Nolan, but Garnham made the first of his many fine saves to thwart Chris Henderson.

The visitors equalised in the 22nd minute when Robert Eagle's excellent ball sent Henderson racing into the penalty area. He was brought down by Tom Bullard, leaving the referee no option but to send off the Bury captain and award the Trawlerboys a spot kick. Dean Sinclair kept his nerve to drill the ball past Garnham.

Despite being a man short, Bury regained the lead in the 28th minute when a cross from Danny Cunningham was headed home at the far post by Sam Nunn.

Lowestoft equalised for a second time five minutes after the break. An Eagle corner was only partially cleared and played back into the area by Andrew Fisk for Sam Gaughran to turn into the net from close range.

Garnham then made excellent saves from Nathan Stone, Greg Crane and Scott Mitchell twice.

Bury were reduced to nine men with Cunningham receiving a straight red for a reckless tackle on Mitchell in the 83rd minute.

Sinclair and Stone both had goals ruled out as Lowestoft pressed for a winner.

Joe Francis put a close range header into the side netting and a Fisk long distance drive curled inches too high.

With three of the four additional minutes played, Lowestoft netted a dramatic winner. Mitchell's cross was headed back across the face of the goal by Stone for Guentchev to steal in at the far post and head home.

Lowestoft now trail Ryman Premier Division leaders Billericay by eight points after they were held to a 0-0 draw at second-placed AFC Hornchurch yesterday.

• Bury: Garnham, Short, Coulson, Kennedy, Nunn, Bullard, Clark (Hipperson, 25), Sands (Leabon, 68), S Reed (Kearns, 77), L Reed, Cunningham. Subs not used: Hall, Key

• Lowestoft: Reynolds, Mitchell, Smith, Fisk, Crane, Gaughran, Guentchev, Sinclair, Nolan (Stone, 46), Henderson, Eagle (Francis, 70). Subs not used: Frew, Forbes, Forshaw.

• Attendance: 868