LOWESTOFT TOWN 0 HASHTAG UNITED 2

The highly anticipated clash of the league's two form teams attracted the biggest attendance at the Fosters Solicitors Community Stadium for eight years.

The crowd of 1111 was the best since the clash against FC United of Manchester in September 2015.

The contest itself was virtually over after 10 minutes.

With Lowestoft making their usual slow start, Hashtag took full advantage racing to a two goal lead inside 10 minutes.

The lively winger Jermaine Francis had already threatened the Lowestoft goal before Hashtag opened the scoring after four minutes.

The ball was slipped through to Emmanuel Okunja who slid the ball past Luke Holt.

Within a minute Francis worked his way through again and forced Holt into a superb save but as the ball ran loose Alex Teniola volleyed over an open goal.

Lowestoft failed to heed the warning and went two down in the 10th minute.

Francis again was the instigator and although another excellent save from Holt denied him, Okunja was on hand to hammer home.

Lowestoft started to come more into the game and had their first attempt on target in the 23rd minute when from Louis McIntosh’s corner Dave Hinton’s header went straight into James Philp’s hands.

Lowestoft Journal: Action from Lowestoft v Hashtag Action from Lowestoft v Hashtag (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Adam Hipperson’s drive was blocked by a packed defence and Kyle Haylock was thwarted by a goal line clearance from Harry Haysom.

Lowestoft were so close to pulling a goal back as Haylock knocked the ball forward to Jake Reed who lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper from 35 yards only to see it bounce inches wide.

Lowestoft Journal: Chris Henderson fires in a shot for Lowestoft.Chris Henderson fires in a shot for Lowestoft. (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

McIntosh then found the overlapping Owen Murphy whose drive from a narrow angle was parried by Philp but Haylock could only stab the ball wide.

Lowestoft’s last chance came three minutes from the end when Travis Cole was held back by Thomas Anderson but Hipperson's spot kick hit the base of the post and bounced clear.