Two teams burdened by off-field problems met at the Amber Dew Events Stadium on a cold but dry evening.
Two teams burdened by off-field problems met at the Amber Dew Events Stadium on a cold but dry evening.
Both were also facing opposing pressures on the pitch – with Dulwich Hamlet sitting on top of the table, vying for promotion despite currently being homeless due to the actions of their landlords while Lowestoft are in desperate need of points as they fight to keep clear of the relegation places.
It was Lowestoft's first home match – played in front of a crowd of 378 – since revealing financial difficulties a fortnight ago.
Defeat came on the day the Blues announced the departure of another player, with captain Rossi Jarvis departing by mutual consent.
The former Norwich City midfielder Jarvis is likely to miss the rest of the season because of injury, so has left to help the club financially, according to the official website, 'along with personal reasons'.
Lowestoft gave a first starts of the season to keeper Elvijs Putnins and Cion Wren and debuts to loan signing Ross Marshall and Sam Allen.
The difference in league placings was apparent from the start with the visitors moving the ball around confidently with Kenny Beaney at the centre of most things. Putnins would have been pleased to get an early good touch as he dived low to his right to save a cross-shot from Sanchez Ming which seemed to be curling towards the corner.
It was obviously going to be a predominantly rearguard action for Lowestoft with the impressive Rory McAuley teaming up with Marshall and Travis Cole moving to right back. Lowestoft were coping with the pressure quite well but it took a superb save by Putnins to push a bullet header from Dipo Akinyemi onto the bar.
It was no surprise when Dulwich took the lead on the half hour mark. The ball was worked across the edge of the Town penalty area for Nathan Ferguson to place the ball just inside the post.
Dulwich then hit Town with two goals in as many minutes, a low cross deflecting off the unlucky Marshall in the 44th minute before, right from the restart, Nyren Clunis hit a third.
Lowestoft battled throughout the second half and their spirit was finally rewarded in the last minute with a consolation goal. A free-kick was played into the area where Dean Leacock, coming on as substitute for his first game since the beginning of January, was fouled in the area and skipper Cole stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
Lowestoft: Putnins, Cole, Zielonka, Fisk, Marshall, McAuley, Hodd, Allen (Leacock 62), Machaya, Eagle, Wrten, Subs not used: Langdake, Youngman, Leslie, Gillings
Dulwich: Addai, Taylor, Green (Chambers 39), Kargbo, Acheampong, Weatherstone (Tomlin 74), Clunis, Beaney, Akiunyemi (Guimaraes 66), Ferguson, Ming, Subs not used: Boakye-Yiadom, Onovwigun.
Ref: O Morris-Sanders
Attendance: 378
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