Lowestoft Town were left to rue Hendon defender Sam Flegg's late header which condemned the Blues to their first home defeat of the season.

Robert Eagle's superb strike midway through the second half looked to have rescued a point for the Trawlerboys after goals from Jack Bennett and Junior Morais had cancelled out Bradley Woods-Garness' opener from the penalty spot.

But Flegg's's looping 88th-minute header caught goalkeeper Ashlee Jones flat-footed and Lowestoft didn't have enough time to respond.

Lowestoft got off to a dream start in the second minute when they were awarded a penalty. Eagle found Woods-Garness inside the Hendon penalty area and, as the striker headed the ball into his path, defender Tony Taggart inadvertently kicked the former Canvey man in the face giving the referee no option but to the point to the spot.

Woods-Garness shook off the after-effects of Taggart's robust challenge to rifle home from the spot low into goalkeeper Charlie Horlock's right-hand corner.

However, Lowestoft failed to build on the early initiative with the blustery conditions causing problems for both sides.

Woods-Garness cut a frustrated figure at times with the Blues midfield struggling to give him the kind of service he thrives on.

The visitors were enjoying most of the possession but the Blues back four were in fine form with Curtis Haynes-Brown in particular excelling.

The former Yeovil man produced an excellent last-ditch challenge to prevent Dave Diedhiou from having a clear run on goal. Haynes-Brown appeared to injure himself in the process as the Lowestoft faithful held its collective breath at the sight of yet another defender pulling up lame. However, after some treatment from the physio Haynes-Brown was able to continue.

Lowestoft finally found some attacking fluency towards the end of the half with Erkan Okay dragging a shot just wide after a period of pressure. Eagle then came within inches of doubling Lowestoft's lead when, after being found by Lee Smith, his angled drive from 15 yards cannoned off the post to safety.

Lee Smith came close to making it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time with a fine 25-yard free kick which Horlock could only watch drift agonisingly wide of his right-hand post.

Lowestoft then had another penalty appeal when Eagle tried to jink past Fisher only for the ball to hit the defender's hand. However, referee Mark Potkins waved away the home side's appeals, deciding it was a case of ball-to-hand.

Within five minutes of the restart Hendon were level. Diedhiou made good progress down the right before an excellent cross found Bennett completely free at the back post and the Hendon winger smashed the ball home from close range.

It got even worse for Lowestoft just before the hour mark when again they failed to stop the cross and Sam Gaughran's clearance only fell as far as Morais, who hammered the ball home from the edge of the area.

Lowestoft's sluggish start to the second half was almost compounded further when Jefferson Louis strolled through the Blues midfield before bringing a good save out of Ashlee Jones with a shot from 20 yards.

Lowestoft looked a beaten side until the 65th minute thanks to a wonder-strike from Eagle. Frew's excellent cross-field pass found the former Norwich City man, who produced the cleanest of strikes from the corner of the penalty area to give Horlock no chance.

However, it wasn't enough to give Lowestoft a share of the points when Flegg rose highest to direct a header over Jones and give Hendon a surprise win.

- Lowestoft Town (4-3-3): Jones, J Ainsley, Gaughran, Haynes-Brown, A Smith, Okay (Cunningham 89), Fisk, Eagle, L Smith, Frew, Woods-Garness. Subs not used: S Ainsley, Otobo, Doddington, Viner.

- Hendon (4-4-2): Horlock, Seeby, Flegg, Fisher, Taggart (Bryan 70), Diedhou, Maclaren, O'Leary, Bennett, Louis, Morais. Subs not used: McCluskey, Rankin, Lobjoit, Murray.

- Referee: Mark Potkins

- Attendance: 585