Lowestoft Town moved up to third place in the Ryman League Premier this afternoon thanks to a dramatic victory at home to Hampton & Richmond.

After racing into a two-goal lead courtesy of Scott Mitchell and Chris Henderson, the Trawlerboys proceeded to shoot themselves in the foot at a windswept Crown Meadow.

An Andrew Plummer howler allowed the visitors to pull one back before goals from Ryan Moss and Tony Taggart threatened an upset.

However, Jack Defty levelled matters before this rollercoaster took another twist when Greg Crane was given a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Alan Bray.

Despite being down to 10 men Lowestoft went in search of a winner and Defty duly delivered before substitute Michael Frew made sure of the points thanks to a calm finish.

Hampton almost got off to a flying start in the second minute when Taggart manufactured room inside the penalty area before unleashing a left-footed strike that Plummer did well to beat away.

It appeared to act as a wake-up call for the Blues, who hit the front three minutes later thanks to a flowing move. Defty picked the ball up midway inside Hampton's half and spread a lovely pass out wide to Lee Smith, who was free on the right. The former Bury man got to the by-line before standing up the ball to the back post for the on-rushing Mitchell to head home from close range.

With the wind a major factor Lowestoft were keeping the ball on the floor well with Mitchell on the left at the heart of everything the Trawlerboys did going forward in the first half.

The midfielder almost doubled the home side's lead in the 26th minute. After exchanging passes with Adam Smith his curling right-footed shot from 20 yards flew just over the crossbar.

But Lowestoft got the second their play thoroughly merited in the 34th minute thanks to a move straight off the training ground. Crane's deep free kick to the back post found Sam Gaughran, who headed across goal for Henderson to stab home.

However, that was as good as it got in first half as Lowestoft inexplicably relinquished their advantage.

Taggart's deliveries from set-pieces had been a feature of Hampton's play and the midfielder pulled one back for the visitors five minutes before the break. Plummer tried to come and claim his in-swinging delivery but misjudged the flight of the ball and succeeded in only diverting into his own net with his fist.

It got worse in first half injury time when Taggart cut in from the right before crossing to the back post for Moss to head home past Plummer.

Lowestoft continued to commit suicide at the start of the second period when the visitors unbelievably took the lead. Gaughran was caught in possession by Moss down the left channel and squared the ball across goal for Taggart to steam in off the right flank and shoot past Plummer.

Lowestoft suddenly stirred from their slumber and Defty almost got his side back on level terms immediately with a 25-yard howitzer that flew just wide.

However, moments later he got Lowestoft back on level terms. Good work from Henderson freed Curtley Williams down the right and the former Ipswich man's cross caused confusion in the Hampton defence, allowing Defty to slam the ball home from close range.

Lowestoft went in search of a winner with Williams providing an excellent outlet down the right on several occasions.

However, the Blues were dealt a blow in the 79th minute when Crane was given his marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Bray.

With a sense of injustice in their nostrils, Lowestoft pushed on and got the winner they deserved six minutes from time. Henderson's cross looked to be harmlessly drifting across the penalty area until Kamara miscontrolled the ball into the path of Defty, who rifled the ball past Rodney Chiweshe.

Substitute Frew made sure of the points late on when Hampton were caught pushing forward looking for an equaliser. The former Corby man wrestled his way past Darren Powell before calmly slotting the ball past Chiweshe.

- Lowestoft Town (4-4-2): Plummer, Williams, Crane, Gaughran (Benjamin 65), A Smith, Fisk, L Smith (Frew 75), Mitchell, Okay, Henderson, Defty (Gleeson 86). Subs not used: Dawkin, Eagle.

- Hampton & Richmond (4-4-2): Chiweshe, Kamara (Murray 86), Powell, Jeffreys, Bray, Turner, Simmonds, Holloway, Taggart, Moss, Moone (Bettamer 72). Subs not used: Reece, Hustwick, Harkin.

- Referee: Nick Dunn

- Attendance: 522