This was a massive game for two clubs who were desperate to move away from the relegation zone but it was the visitors who went away happy with the three points.

On a very boggy and heavily sanded pitch the first half defied the elements and produced a lively and entertaining 45 minutes.

There were early penalty appeals for Lowestoft as Jake Reed tumbled in the area as he moved onto a Shaun Bammant flick but the referee was unimpressed.

Lowestoft thought that they had taken a 14th-minute lead when a low Adam Smith free-kick was turned into the net by Michael Spillane but the goal was disallowed for an offside decision.

The lively David Moyo was causing the Lowestoft defence problems and he forced Ben Killip into a diving save from 20 yards out. Brackley were forced into an early change when their central defender broke his nose in an aerial challenge and was replaced by Pablo Mills.

Brackley's opening came after an error in judgement from young keeper Killip. The on-loan Norwich City goalkeeper tried to dribble past Moyo as he shielded the ball along the touchline but slipped, allowing the Brackley striker an easy tap-in.

Lowestoft levelled the scores five minutes later when Sam Hornby in the visitors' goal failed to deal with a Reed knock-on and Spillane hit the loose ball home. Killip redeemed himself shortly before the break saving Moyo's point-blank shot after Harry Barker had been dispossessed on the bye-line. There was still time for Reed to set up a chance for Bammant who hit the ball too high as he stretched to reach it.

The heavy conditions were obviously a drain on the legs with the second half failing to reach the same level as the first. Most of the play was confined to long balls forward from both sides which was easily dealt with by both defences.

The vital minute came in the 66th as Brackley broke quickly down the right and the cross was turned into the net by Junior English to break Lowestoft hearts.

Despite trying to force an equaliser in the final quarter the Trawlerboys couldn't find a way through the Brackley defence despite having another penalty appeal turned down as Bammant appeared to be bowled over.

A desperately disappointing day for Lowestoft who find themselves back in the relegation places but with games in hand with 11 to go.