Lowestoft Town suffered injury-time heartbreak last night as their losing streak in the league was extended to four matches.
A rather disappointing derby appeared to be drifting towards an inevitable stalemate, when super sub Tariq Issa came up trumps with a 93rd minute winner.
Colchester United loanee Issa, 21, on as a substitute just after the hour mark, directed a header goalwards.
The ball reared up off the turf and looped over keeper James Bergin to fly into the roof of the net.
It was a cruel blow on Lowestoft, who are struggling in the Southern League Premier Central this season, but the Marketmen did edge the contest in terms of possession, and chances.
This was Needham's first home league win since their eye-catching 8-1 victory over Hitchin Town, back on August 14, and followed on from last Saturday's excellent 2-1 win at high-flying Coalville Town.
Needham started brightly, although Lowestoft grew into the game during what was a rather disappointing first half. Reece Dobson won an early free-kick, from which Callum Sturgess curled in a 20-yard shot which was well saved by Bergin.
It was certainly a feisty encounter, with four yellow cards shown in the first half. For the visitors, winger Conor McKendry and midfielder Rob Eagle were both booked for late tackles, while Needham skipper Gareth Heath and Lowestoft's Adam Tann were also cautioned for a clash in the middle of the park.
Needham went close with a free-kick on 38 minutes. Sturgess directed his effort beyond the wall, but Bergin dived to his right to push the ball around his post.
A rare Lowestoft attack nearly led to a goal in the 40th minute. McKendry's effort struck the bar, while at the other end Dobson pulled a shot wide from an angle.
The Marketmen were on the front foot at the start of the second half, but left it late to secure the points. Joe Marsden failed to beat Bergin from just six yards out, on 82 minutes, but super sub Issa obliged at the death.
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