The Suffolk derby turned out to be a real Christmas cracker, with Shaun Bammant scoring 10 minutes from time to earn the Trawlerboys a well deserved victory.

Lowestoft were boosted by both Chris Henderson and Travis Cole being declared fit and Bammant ready to play with a head wound heavily bandaged.

The Blues started the game at a high tempo with Ryan Jarvis going close on a couple of occasions. Frazer Blake-Tracy found Henderson who exchanged passes with Jarvis but saw his shot hit keeper Jacob Marsden and soar over the bar.

Henderson was proving to be a real livewire and his cross picked out Bammant but his header found the side netting. Harvey Hodd and Blake-Tracy were both denied by Marsden before Lowestoft deservedly took the lead in the 23rd minute. Travis Cole timed his late run perfectly to get on to the end of Ryan Jarvis' corner to power a header into the roof of the net.

Sadly, Lowestoft's tendency to give away soft goals raised its head again as Leiston levelled in the 30th minute. Matt Blake was allowed far too much room and although his cross was knocked out wide Joe Marsden was given acres of space to play the ball back inside where it was bundled into the net by Niko Muir.

Undeterred, Lowestoft hit back to regain their lead just five minutes later. From the second of two consecutive corners from the right by Adam Smith, Rossi Jarvis arrived on cue to sweep the ball into the net from 10 yards.

The second period saw Leiston come into the game more but their second equaliser again owed more to Lowestoft deficiencies than their own ability. There seemed little danger when Blake-Tracy played a back pass from well outside the area but it was woefully under-hit and Blake pounced to take the ball round Waite to find the net from a narrow angle, despite a gallant attempt from Harry Barker to clear.

The game was quite open going into the last quarter, with Hodd twice going close for Lowestoft and Blake getting to the byline for Leiston but with no one up to convert his cross.

The points were up for grabs and Lowestoft deservedly netted the winner in the 80th minute. A mazy run from Hodd saw him feed the ball through to Barker whose cross was turned into the net from close range by Bammant.

It was an excellent three points for the hosts, well appreciated by a larger festive attendance.

New signing Aristote Kamaneno, a former Nottingham Forest youth player, was an unused substitute for Lowestoft.

Lowestoft: Waite, Barker, Smith, Fisk, Cole (McAuley 65), Rossi Jarvis, Hodd, Ryan Jarvis, Henderson (Forshaw 90), Bammant, Blake-Tracy. Subs (not used) Glover, Amisi, Jessup

Leiston: Jacob Marsden, Brown, Brothers (Pelling 82), Ainsley, Jefford, Hutchins, Lawrence, Heath, Blake, Muir, Joe Marsden (Cole 67). Subs (not used) Hastings, Lay-Fulcher, Potter

Attendance 725, Ref: Mr C Pearse