Brave Folkestone falter late on

SHAUN BAMMANT’S 89thminute strike salvaged a point for Lowestoft and kept Folkestone firmly in the heavily-populated relegation battle, two points above fourthbottom Kingstonian.

Invicta led twice but were unable to stop the Trawlerboys stretching their unbeaten run to eight games.

There were early chances for both sides.

On three minutes, Trawlerboys keeper Jake Jessup reacted quickly to block Ian Draycott’s closerange effort.

LOWESTOFT T 2 FOLKESTONE INV 2

Moments later at the other end Jake Reed found himself clear but after cutting inside he fired his shot straight at Folkestone goalkeeper Tim Roberts.

Folkestone were looking the better side and they took a deserved lead in the 28th minute when Draycott netted after his own low cross had been completely missed by Joe Taylor in front of an open goal and was only halfcleared.

Lowestoft came out for the second period fired up and equalised two minutes after the break.

Frazer Blake-Tracy headed Ryan Jarvis’s free-kick against the bar and Nico Cotton played the loose ball inside for Bammant to turn and score from six yards.

The Trawlerboys were on top at this stage.

But Invicta regained the lead in the 69th minute, Frankie Chappell heading home a corner after Draycott’s free-kick was superbly saved by Jessup.

However, the visitors were unable to hang on for a vital three points as Lowestoft equalised again with just two minutes of normal time remaining.

Rossi Jarvis threaded a lovely pass through to Bammant and the striker played a one-two with Harvey Hodd before slipping the ball past Roberts to complete his brace.