Lowestoft Town's start to the campaign may have dampened some fans' pre-season expectations but many more displays like Saturday's win against Kingstonian will have some supporters starting to dream again.

The capture of Jake Reed earlier this month may just have provided the spur Lowestoft's season needed and it was his contribution once again that paved the way for this win.

Fresh from his four goals last time out at the Meadow against Carshalton he showed all his penalty box know-how once again just after the half-hour mark when he finished off a fine flowing move involving Jack Ainsley and Robert Eagle.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge striker helped provide the killer blow to a good Kingstonian side three minutes from time when he rode the challenge of K's defender Matthew Drage and laid the ball off for Lee Smith, who had the simple task of tapping home from six yards.

Reed's industry typified Lowestoft's performance on the day and if they can get more of their small squad fit and available they may just be able to fight for one of those play-off spots once again this season.

'Jake worked his socks off and it's no wonder that he does score goals because he just works so hard for it,' said director of football Craig Fleming. 'It wasn't just Jake though – it was the whole team. Even young Luke (Bailey) coming on at the end – he bought straight into it.

'The work ethic of the lads was superb – they way we passed the ball at times, the way we tackled. It was just a very good all-round performance – the full package.'

One look at the Lowestoft bench made you realise just how threadbare the Blues squad is at the moment. The Trawlerboys had just 12 senior players to pick from on Saturday, with the squad shorn of the likes of Curtis Haynes-Brown, Chris Henderson, Bradley Woods-Garness along with long-term absentees Jack Defty and Dale Cockrill.

But Fleming believes that they lack in numbers they make up for in quality and working with a small group could have a galvanising effect on their season.

'We're working with the smallest squad that we've had since I've been at the club. Today we only had 12 senior players available but I think it's starting to have a positive effect on us.

'There is a really good spirit about us. We are working with a smaller squad but I think it's the highest quality squad we've had.'