Lowestoft overcame a torrid opening 20 minutes with a tremendous comeback that earned them a point in a 2-2 draw away to Tonbridge Angels.

Andrew Fisk and Nico Cotton returned to the starting line up in place of the unavailable Rory McAuley and Jacek Zielonka who dropped to the bench.

In a game that was a real credit to the Bostik League the teams put on an exhilarating 90 minutes.

Lowestoft made the worst possible start as they conceded a second-minute penalty. Alex Akrofi's run ended after being caught by Ben Dudzinski and, after the keeper had been cautioned, Xavier Vidal confidently converted the spot kick.

Those early minutes saw Tonbridge cutting through the Lowestoft defence at will and it was no surprise when they added a second goal in the 12th minute. A long diagonal ball saw Joe Turner hold off the challenge of Dan Humphries before shooting across Dudzinski inside the far post.

After that worst possible start Lowestoft came more into the game before the contest was held up for eight minutes after an horrendous clash of heads between Humphries and Jack Parter. Humphries was helped off and taken to hospital whilst Parter was able to continue with his head heavily bandaged. Jacek Zielonka came off the bench to fill the right back role.

The interruption seemed to benefit Lowestoft who started to press Tonbridge back. Shaun Bammant had a chance created by Jake Reed but his shot went wide of the far post.

With the game deep into first half added time Lowestoft pulled a goal back. Reed won the ball in midfield for Cotton to slip a superb ball between the home central defenders for Harvey Hodd to run on to and shoot low across the goal into the far corner.

Lowestoft started the second half in the ascendancy forcing six corners in the opening 10 minutes of the second period. Just as Lowestoft's fight back seemed to be waning they equalised in the 72nd minute. An excellent crossfield ball from Zielonka was headed down perfectly by Bammant for Cotton to slide past Jon Henley.

The final 20 minutes was a real cut and thrust affair as both sides searched for a winner but had to settle for a point each at the end of a scintillating contest.

Tonbridge: Henly, Jelley, Parter, Stone (Smith 72), Miles, Beavan, Bennett (Kwayie 86), Vidal, Thompson (Elder 76), Akrofi, Turner. Subs not used: Sesay, Welsh

Lowestoft: Dudzinski, D Humphries (Zielonka 35), Smith, Fisk, Cole, Barker, Hodd, Cotton, Reed, Foy, Bammant. Subs not used: Borrer, Nyadzayo, Wren, Putnins.

Referee Mr R Head

Attendance: 438