Lowestoft knew they were in for a tough afternoon when they travelled to Coalville Town, the Leicestershire side unbeaten at home and with 17 goals scored in their six home game to date.
To make matters worse Adam Smith had joined Travis Cole and Jacek Zieklonka on the injury list and there was a further blow to Jamie Godbold's planning when Matt Brown pulled up in the pre-match warm up. Armani Schaar was forced into a makeshift full back role.
It was obvious this was going to be a predominantly defensive performance and so it proved with the Ravens making full use of their wingmen. But it was the defensive pairing that created the first real threat with Danny Jenno's free kick headed into the side netting by Steve Towers.
Lowestoft showed they still carried an attacking threat, forcing a left wing corner. Conor Mckendry's flag kick saw Adam Tann's diving header just clear the bar. Andrew Wright's fierce effort from the edge of the area saw Elvijs Putnin produced the first of what was to prove many outstanding saves.
Coalville deservedly took the lead in the 25th minute with Lowestoft losing the ball in midfield which was seized upon by Wright who released Tom McGlinchy to shoot past Putnins.
Wright and McGlinchy were the danger men for Coalville and Putnins had to be brave to save from close range to deny the former. Higgs had a dangerous cross headed behind for a corner and Mckendry curled a shot just wide of the far post as the interval approached.
The second half started with a lucky bounce sending Tolani Omotola free but Putnins stood up well to save. The Trawlerboys keeper produced the best save of the match moments later as he flew across goal to get his fingers to a 30-yard McGlinchy rocket to turn the ball against the post.
With a much depleted squad the last thing Jamie Godbold needed was to see Connor Deeks being carried off with an ankle injury on the hour mark with Danny Pinheiro coming on for his first real taste of action at this level.
From then onwards it became very much a case of damage limitation and for Putnins to further improve his growing reputation with further excellent saves from Wright and Daniel Creaney.
Coalville Town: Soloha, Bryant, McManus, Towers (Cox 89), Jenno, Doyle-Charles, Dean, Wright (Wildin 82), Omotola (Creaney 66), Berridge, McGlinchy, Subs not used: Spence, Hallahan
Lowestoft Town: Putnins, Curry, Schaar (Sub Ingram 79), Deeks (Sub Pinheiro 59), Jarvis, Tann, Pollock, Fisk (Sub Fowkes 79), Bammant, Mckendry, Higgs. Subs: Godbold, Reynolds
Referee: Mr S Brown
Attendance: 229
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here