A goal in either half ensured high-flying Havant & Waterlooville completed the double over Lowestoft Town with a comprehensive 2-0 win.

Strikes from Theo Lewis and Alfie Rutherford dented Lowestoft's play-off push, as the Trawlerboys struggled against an experienced and well organised visiting side.

The start of the match had the feel of a cup tie about it but the first real moment of quality saw the visitors took the lead in the 27th minute.

Lewis dribbled past Ryan Jarvis before striking the ball low past Jessup for 1-0 and his seventh goal of the campaign.

The Trawlerboys were struggling to break down the visiting defence as they looked to respond before the break.

Both sides exchanged chances at the start of the second half.

Travis Cole headed straight at the keeper for Lowestoft before Rory McAuley's last ditch tackle denied Alfie Rutherford a certain goal.

Jake Reed then went close from an Adam Smith free-kick as Lowestoft continued to up the tempo.

But in a game which had already seen a number of twists and turns, Lowestoft were hit with the sucker punch on 63 minutes as the Hawks doubled their lead.

After breaking through the home defence, former Bognor Regis Town striker Rutherford finished well from a tight angle - after his initial toe-poke rebounded off the post.

The goal, which was against the run of play, came just as Lowestoft sensed a way back into the game.

Jamie Forshaw then entered the action for the Trawlerboys in place of Chris Henderson.

Lowestoft knew if they could get a goal back, they could be in with a chance of setting up a blockbuster finish at Crown Meadow – in what was Havant & Waterlooville's first visit to the ground.

But in truth, despite a number of dangerous crosses into the box, the home side failed to work keeper Young.