Rory’s late header eases the pain as battling Blues suffer more setbacks

Lowestoft Town player Sam Borrer receiving treatment from physio Colin Whiteman after a blow to the jaw.Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Blues manager Ady Gallagher was without defenders Travis Cole and Ollie Humphrey, midfielders Rossi Jarvis and Andrew Fisk plus striker Josh Greenleaf – all joined on the sidelines at the interval by Shaun Bammant and Callum White.

On the plus side, substitute Cruise Nyadzayo had arguably his best outing for the team and Sam Borrer, making his debut, looked composed and will be an asset when fully fit.

The first 20 minutes were cagey – Anthony O’Connor flashed a header just wide and Blues keeper Ben Dudzinski dived bravely at the feet of Charles Banya while for the hosts, Jacek Zielonka sent a free-kick marginally over.

Harrow broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute as a high bouncing ball cleared the Lowestoft defence; Banya watched it like a hawk before hitting a tremendous volley from 20 yards.

Lowestoft Town goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski called into action as Harrow Borough attack. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Five minutes later Bammant limped off to be replaced by Nyadzayo, but Lowestoft’s composure went and their goal had a charmed life as Harrow forwards constantly cut through.

White failed to appear for the second half with Borrer coming on for his debut. With Nyadzayo giving Jake Reed more support up front and Borrer more competitive in midfield, Lowestoft began to put some pressure on the Harrow defence. Reed’s neat flick set Nyadzayo muscling his way through only to be denied by a brave save by Melvin Minter. Harvey Hodd, twice, and Zielonka both put efforts just wide.

With the game deep into injury time Lowestoft won several corners. From the final one Dudzinski joined the attack and as Zielonka’s corner came across, the keeper seemed to draw the huge Harrow defenders to him, leaving McAuley unmarked to steer a far post header back across goal and into the net.

Lowestoft: Dudzinski, White (Borrer 46), Barker, Westlake, McAuley, Leacock, Zielonka, Smith, Reed, Hodd, Bammant (Nyadzayo 28), Subs not used: Wren, Putnins.

Lowestoft Town players Harry Barker and Sam Borrer defending against the Harrow Borough goalscorer Charles Banya. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Harrow Borough: Minter, Moore, Uade, Richards, Ujah, Preddie, Banya, Cumberbatch, Stanislaus, Bryan (Pacquette 82), O’Connor, Subs not used: McLeod, Cain, Hall.

Referee: T Hancock. Att: 378.

Lowestoft Town player Freddie Westlake. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Rory McAuley, scorer of Lowestoft's goal. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Lowestoft captain Adam Smith battling for possession against Harrow Borough. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Lowestoft Town's Dean Leacock in action against Harrow Borough. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Lowestoft Town manager Ady Gallagher before the match against Harrow Borough. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)