Most football pundits subscribe to the theory that things even themselves out over the course of a season.

In that case, Lowestoft Town should see a swing in their direction as their fight against relegation from National League North goes to the wire. On Saturday, against a Gainsborough Trinity side sitting not far above the drop zone, the Trawlerboys saw the pendulum go backwards and forwards several times before they came away with a crucial point.

A goal behind, they were twice denied by the woodwork before seeing an own goal bring them back on level terms with 10 minutes remaining.

But if the injury-hit Blues thought the worm had turned, a goal-line clearance from a Michael Spillane header in stoppage time denied them the three points they deserved.

The first quarter of the game offered no indication of the drama to come as Lowestoft were comfortable until Trinity struck with their first effort on target on 23 minutes.

A high hanging cross from left-back Josh Lacey posed little danger until Rossi Jarvis was outjumped by Nathan Jarman, who headed beyond Ben Killip and into the corner.

The goal sparked a response from the visitors and Ryan Jarvis forced a fingertip save from home stopper Jan Budtz five minutes later with a low, left-footed drive.

From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Rossi Jarvis on the edge of the box and as he looked to level matters, his fierce half-volley crashed off the face of the bar and away to safety.

After scoring, the home side seemed content to sit on their lead and dropped deeper and deeper as the second half progressed, allowing the Trawlerboys to push on.

The equaliser nearly came from a wicked cross from Ryan Jarvis which flashed along the six-yard box without a decisive touch from Danny Crow or Chris Henderson.

On 63 minutes, the Blues were again denied by the woodwork as Spillane found space 10 yards out but could only head Crow's corner off the bar and over.

A minute later teenage striker Cruise Nyadzayo came on for Dean Mason to add a different dimension to the front line.

But it was a defender who netted the equaliser for the Trawlerboys with 11 minutes to go. After neat play down the right between Joe Marsden and Ryan Jarvis, the latter hit a low, left-foot shot which Budtz could only shovel out in front of him.

With Crow and Henderson poised to pounce for a tap-in, Trinity player-manager Dom Roma got to the ball first but could only drill the ball into his own net as he went to clear.

Nyadzayo then went close as he latched onto a long ball ahead of Budtz, but ran out of room after rounding the keeper as Town looked for a winner.

But as they thought things were finally going their way, Liam Davis was on hand to clear Spillane's header from his own line in stoppage time for a share of the spoils.