Lowestoft Town eased to victory over Conference North basement boys, Hyde, after a fine display at Crown Meadow.

Robert Eagle gave the Blues an early lead with an excellent volley and Jake Reed doubled Lowestoft's advantage with a typical predatory finish for his seventh goal of the season.

The game was as good as over early into the second period when Louis Almond was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Andrew Fisk and Jack Ainsley made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Reed had been upended in the box.

Danny Crow made his debut after completing his move from Newport on Friday and showed signs of linking well with Reed up front before being substituted in the 69th minute.

Lowestoft had to wait just six minutes to make the breakthrough against the strugglers thanks to a fine finish by Eagle. Jack Ainsley made good progress down the right flank before standing up a cross to the back post for the waiting Eagle, who guided the ball home on the volley.

It was 2-0 in the 18th minute with Ainsley once again the supply line. The former Ipswich Town defender again crossed to the back post to Eagle, who rose well to head the ball back across goal. Reed reacted first and took a touch before rifling the ball home from close range. Lowestoft were cruising.

Crow who, after an energetic opening tired towards the end of the half, had a sight of goal just before the half-hour mark after good interplay by Lee Smith and Ainsley but the former Newport man was snuffed out at the near post by Hyde goalkeeper Ashley Timms.

Lowestoft gradually relinquished some of the early ascendancy as the half wore and were lucky to go in at the break 2-0 up. They only did so thanks to a couple of excellent saves by Ashlee Jones with the former Canvey Island goalkeeper twice denying Louis Almond with acrobatic stops.

Hyde's uphill battle adopted mountainous proportions five minutes into the second period when Louis Almond was shown a straight red card after appearing to stamp on Andrew Fisk following a tangle between the pair.

Hyde continued to try to pass the ball on a quagmire of a pitch whilst Lowestoft adapted to the conditions far better.

It was 3-0 in the 65th minute when Reed caught Danny Hall in possession to go through on goal. In trying to take the ball around the goalkeeper the former Dagenham & Redbridge striker was fouled and Ainsley fired home from the penalty spot.

Ipswich Town loanee Omar Sowunmi almost scored on his home debut but glanced wide from Lee Smith's corner and Shaun Bammant volleyed over when well placed after a fine passing move.

Hyde almost gained a late consolation but Brizell's 30-yard effort cannoned off Jones' crossbar and rebounded to safety.

- Lowestoft Town (4-4-2): Jones, Ainsley, Gleeson, Sowunmi, Haynes-Brown, L Smith (Mason 78), Fisk, Jarvis, Eagle, Crow (Bammany 69), Reed (Woods-Garness 76). Subs not used: Jessup, Okay.

- Hyde (4-4-2): Timms, Brizell, Lomax, Hall, Brownhill, Almond, Pearson, Racchi, Hughes, Bentham (Masterson 64), Giverin (Sousa 78). Subs not used: Riley, Thurston, Pachipis.

- Referee: Anthony Da Costa

- Attendance: 542