An inspired display by Ilford goalkeeper Pape Diagne condemned Lowestoft Town to their fist defeat of the season. The tall Senegalese goalkeeper produced a series of top drawer saves to defy all Lowestoft's efforts to cancel out Ilford's sole goal of the game.

An inspired display by Ilford goalkeeper Pape Diagne condemned Lowestoft Town to their fist defeat of the season. The tall Senegalese goalkeeper produced a series of top drawer saves to defy all Lowestoft's efforts to cancel out Ilford's sole goal of the game.

The Division's only two sides with maximum points at the start of the game were evenly matched in the early stages as both attacks probed each others defences. Lowestoft were the first to produce a goal worthy effort with Ross King's 25 yard drive turned round the post by the diving Diagne.

Ilford went close with Tony Russell powering a header just too high from a Neil Matthews corner. Richard Woodrow set Jamie Godbold up for a 20 yard drive that Diagne one handedly turned away. Lowestoft were getting on top as the first half progressed and an Adam Smith free kick seemed destined for the back of the net but Diagne somehow got a hand to the ball and then smothered it at the feet of Greg Crane.

The Ilford keeping was thoroughly enjoying himself as he saved twice from Gary McGee, firstly a header from Matthew Halliday's free kick and then after a fine build up down the left by Reece Hunn and Adam Smith. A short corner routine between Godbold and Hunn ended with Halliday's shot tipped over the bar and the half ended with Diagne again taking the plaudits turning a Hunn effort around the post.

Lowestoft suffered a blow two minutes into the second half with Smith harshly penalised on the edge of the area as he jumped for the ball with Bradley Drisdale. From the free kick Victor Omogbehin rocketed the ball direct into the top corner of the net to put Ilford ahead.

Lowestoft had a great chance to level the scores just three minutes later when Ross King was brought down just inside the penalty area but Smith sent his spot kick high over the bar. Lowestoft introduced substitute Craig Bussens who was immediately in action combining with Richard Woodrow to set up Carl Poppy whose shot was saved by Diagne.

With Lowestoft pressing forward Ilford looked dangerous on the break with Omogbehin racing through but Andy Reynolds saved bravely at his feet. As the game reached its final stages Diagne brilliantly tipped over a Woodrow header and then saved from Godbold. Lowestoft's final chances saw Godbold stab the ball just wide and Damian Hilton powering a header just the wrong side of the upright.

t Lowestoft Town: Reynolds, Poppy (Sub S Mitchell 84). A Smith, Woodrow, Crane, Halliday, Godbold, Fisk, King (Sub Hilton 80), McGee, Hunn (Sub Bussens 56), Subs (not used) Potter, Darren Cockrill.

t Ilford: Diagne, Noble (Sub Hughes 46), Sawyer, Chalk, Scott, Russell, Drisdale, Mathews (Sub Pooley 80), McGeehan, Gallen (Sub Appiah), Omogbehin, Subs (not used) Konadu, Sam-Franks.