Lowestoft Town 2 Harrow Borough 0: Dominic Docherty on target as Blues cruise to victory

Jamie Forshaw has left Lowestoft Town. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

With both central defenders Rory McAuley and Travis Cole suspended and Rossi Jarvis injured Lowestoft's defensive resources were again stretched with Harry Barker moving into the centre of defence and Dominic Docherty dropping back to full back.

Lowestoft were much the better side in the first half playing the ball around well and stretching the visiting defence and had an early chance as Shaun Bammant nodded a Ryan Jarvis cross down but Nico Cotton curled his shot wide of the far post. Jarvis then provided another cross but Jake Reed's header was turned around the post by Brendan Hazlett.

Although little was seen of the Harrow attack they had a great chance to take the lead from a break which saw Barker's attempted clearance spiral upwards but as it fell Joshua Webb scuffed the ball wide.

Lowestoft deservedly took the lead in the 30th minute. Jarvis's corner picked out Docherty's run to the near post and he headed home through a crowded six-yard box.

Ryan Jarvis helps defend a corner. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Hazlett was by far the busier keeper and he saved well from Bammant and then dived to claim the ball at the feet of Reed.

Harrow started the second half by forcing a series of in-swinging corners which saw Jake Jessup stretching to turn the ball over the bar before Lowestoft regained control. They started to pull the Harrow defence apart with some neat passing and movement but Reed was guilty of blasting the ball wide when well placed.

Harrow were making more of a game of it this half and Jessup was called into action to save at the feet of Harry Newman with Barker completing the clearance.

Some Bammant trickery saw him cross into the six-yard box but Reed's spectacular overhead kick was too high. Lowestoft increased their lead in the 56th minute with Bammant again involved in the build up finding Cotton whose shot was parried by Hazlett but Jamie Forshaw raced in to drive the ball home from an acute angle.

Jake Jessup in action for Lowestoft against Harrow Borough. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

With a two-goal cushion Lowestoft were happy to let Harrow press them and Docherty again came to their rescue using his body to block from Alex Lafleur after the substitute's initial effort had been parried by Jessup.

At the end of the game the players did a lap of appreciation for the support they had received all season.

Lowestoft Town: Jessup, Docherty, Smith, Henderson, Barker, Blake-Tracy, Forshaw, Ryan Jarvis, Reed, Bammant, Cotton. Sub not used: Hodd

Harrow Borough: Hazlett, Ochoa, Lomas, Preddie, Brown, Webb, Cumberbatch, Peacock (Turl 83), Charles-Smith, Babalola, Newman (Lafleur 69). Subs not used: Williams, Laazizi, Nicholas

Lowestoft's Frazer Blake-Tracey wards off a Harrow Borough opponent. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Referee: Mr T Hancock

Attendance: 575

Lowestoft Town skipper Adam Smith fights for possession. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Jake Reed puts a Harrow Borough defender under pressure. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Nico Cotton on the attack against Harrow Borough. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)