Lowestoft Town rallied to claim a point against Metropolitan Police thanks to Erkan Okay's second-half strike.

Following a laboured performance in the first period the Trawlerboys fell behind after the break to Bradley Hudson-Odoi's smart header.

However, Lowestoft responded well to going behind and in the 65th minute Okay kept his cool to level and score his first goal of the season in the process.

The point keeps seventh-placed Lowestoft in contention for the play-offs although they may reflect on two points dropped given the chance Jake Reed spurned in the closing stages. The Blues sit four points behind Maidstone, who occupy the last play-off spot, but have played three games less than the Kent outfit.

Lowestoft looked like they were still feeling the after-effects of their efforts against Wingate & Finchley in midweek as they offered an indifferent first half display.

Met Police looked the more dangerous going forward with striker Hudson-Odoi's personal duel with Curtis Haynes-Brown one of the few interesting features of the first period.

When Haynes-Brown was deemed to have brought his opponent down on the edge of the area in the fourth minute Tom Bird proceeded to curl a left-footed effort just over the bar.

Hudson-Odoi then cut in well from the left flank shortly after only to shoot tamely at Jones, who easily held.

Lowestoft had their first opportunity of any note in the 13th minute when Sam Gaughran's looping header was punched out weakly by goalkeeper Stuart Searle to Dan Gleeson, whose close range effort was deflected over the bar.

Lowestoft's front pairing were having to feed off scraps but Michael Frew's honest endeavour was almost rewarded in the 25th minute when he chased down a long ball forward to put pressure on Richard Sutherland. The Met Police defender looked to have left his backpass a little short but just when Frew looked set to go through on goal Searle was off his line quickly to snuff out the danger.

Reed almost got in behind the visitors' defence just before half-time when he latched on to Robert Eagle's ball over the top but, after the striker had jinked inside on to his right foot, his shot was deflected out for a corner.

Metropolitan Police got their noses in front in the second half with a well worked goal. Bird made good progress down the left flank before swinging in a sweet cross, which Hudson-Odoi nodded home from 10 yards.

It was perhaps the spark Lowestoft needed to stir them from their slumber and after Jack Ainsley went close with a free kick they got back on level terms soon after.

Reed capitalised on a mix-up between Searle and Sutherland but saw his effort blocked on the line. Okay was on to the rebound and, despite getting the ball caught under his feet, he managed to turn and fire home from 12 yards.

Jack Ainsley came close to finding a winner when he glided past Bird down the right flank but, from an acute angle, Searle palmed away his effort at the near post.

Lowestoft were firmly in the ascendancy and only the width of a post prevented Eagle from making it 2-1 when his header hit the woodwork after being found by Okay's delightful chip.

Reed had a great chance with 15 minutes left when his first touch saw him go through on goal but the former Dagenham & Redbridge striker snatched at his chance, slicing well wide.

In time added on Reed then forced an excellent save out of Searle after some fine work on the byline.

- Lowestoft Town (4-4-2): Jones, Gleeson, Gaughran, Haynes-Brown, A Smith, J Ainsley, Okay, Jarvis, Eagle, Frew, Reed. Subs not used: Fisk, S Ainsley, Doddington, Jessup.

- Metropolitan Police (4-4-2): Searle, Salmon (Bor 83), Joseph, Sutherland, Bird, Neita (Collins 46), Hibbert, James, Aldred, Newton, Hudson-Odoi (Pink 76). Subs not used: Cramp, Smalley.

- Referee: Mark Potkins

- Attendance: 525