With just a point separating the two teams lying just above the relegation place, both sides viewed this as a must-win game.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Town skipper Travis Cole puts in a strong challenge. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowLowestoft Town skipper Travis Cole puts in a strong challenge. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

The Terrors came into the game in better form, unbeaten in four, whilst the Trawlerboys were recovering from a rather harsh 0-5 defeat at Billericay Town.

Lowestoft were able to include Andrew Fisk in the starting line up in place of Matty Foy who has returned to Cambridge United at the end of his loan spell.

Lowestoft were hoping for an early breakthrough and it all so nearly arrived with their best two chances of the half arriving in the opening five minutes.

Firstly Robert Eagle got away down the left in the third minute and his cross saw Harvey Hodd's shot from close range cleared off the line by full back Peter Wedgeworth. Within in a minute Jake Reed was fouled some 25 yards out. Eagle floated his free kick into the danger area where Rory McAuley headed it downwards and keeper Matte Pierson needed two attempts to claim it.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft substitute goalkeeper Elvijs Putnins warms up. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowLowestoft substitute goalkeeper Elvijs Putnins warms up. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

After that early flurry the game settled down to a midfield affair with neither side having the flair necessary to prize open the two mean defences. Tooting's only threat of the first half saw captain Quincey Rowe play an excellent ball across the face of the goal with Dan Humphries doing exceptionally well to get back to hook away just as Oliver Bennett was about to strike.

The second half started with a bit of goal mouth activity with Michael Dixon having a clear attempt at goal but shooting straight into the arms of Ben Dudzinski and immediately play switched to the other end where Reed found Shaun Bammant who could only shoot tamely at the keeper.

Jacek Zielonka surged forward and let fly from 20 yards but the ball grazed the wrong side of the upright. The game was looking ever more likely to end goalless but in the final quarter both teams created one last chance.

With 15 minutes left Tooting substitute Chace O'Neill sent in a dipping drive from 20 yards out which Dudzinski had to fly across his goal to tip behind for a corner.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Town's Jacek Zielonka prepares to take a corner. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowLowestoft Town's Jacek Zielonka prepares to take a corner. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

With six minutes left Lowestoft's best chance of the game saw Reed cross from the left and with the goal at his mercy the unmarked Zielonka steered his header back across goal but wide of the mark.

With the three teams immediately below them all drawing and bottom club Burgess Hill losing it is a case of status quo at the bottom of the table from Lowestoft's viewpoint.

Lowestoft Town:: Dudzinski, Humphries, Smith, Fisk, McAuley, Cole, Hodd (Sub Barker 81), Zielonka, Reed, Eagle, Bammant, Subs (not used) Nyadzayo. Machaya, Wren, Putnins.

Tooting & Mitcham United: Pierson, Fadohunsi, Wedgeworth, Morgan-Griffiths, Drage, Rowe, Jones (Spencer 80), Bennett, Dixon (O'Neill 59), Folkes, Bassett. Sub not used: James

Eastern Daily Press: Jake Reed puts in a challenge in the recent game against Tooting & Mitcham. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowJake Reed puts in a challenge in the recent game against Tooting & Mitcham. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Referee: Mr P Burnham

Attendance: 423

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft's Robert Eagle puts in a cross against Tooting & Mitcham. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowLowestoft's Robert Eagle puts in a cross against Tooting & Mitcham. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Eastern Daily Press: Sprowston Ladies went top of Division One of the Norfolk Womens & Girls Football League with a 2-0 win at North Walsham Ladies. Picture: ArchantSprowston Ladies went top of Division One of the Norfolk Womens & Girls Football League with a 2-0 win at North Walsham Ladies. Picture: Archant (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Eastern Daily Press: Andrew Fisk made his return to the Lowestoft Town starting line-up against Tooting & Mitcham last weekend. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowAndrew Fisk made his return to the Lowestoft Town starting line-up against Tooting & Mitcham last weekend. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Town's Dan Humphries in action. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowLowestoft Town's Dan Humphries in action. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Eastern Daily Press: Andrew Fisk rises highest for a header. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowAndrew Fisk rises highest for a header. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Town boss Dale Brooks faces a huge challenge in getting the Blues to the end of the season. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowLowestoft Town boss Dale Brooks faces a huge challenge in getting the Blues to the end of the season. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Town's Harvey Hodd in action against Tooting & Mitcham. Picture: Shirley D WhitlowLowestoft Town's Harvey Hodd in action against Tooting & Mitcham. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)