Whitley Bay 2 Lowestoft Town 1

FA Vase semi-final, first leg

Whitley Bay 2 Lowestoft Town 1

JAMIE Godbold scored a crucial late second half goal for 10-man Lowestoft Town to change the complexion of this intriguing FA Vase semi-final tie.

The Suffolk side had dominated a goalless first half in north Tyneside, but a double substitution and change of tactics by the home side tipped the game on its head and the north east side raced into a two goal lead courtesy of Paul Chow's 61st minute header and Lee Kerr's 73rd minute penalty.

Lowestoft right-back Carl Poppy was controversially shown a straight red card a minute after the second goal following a tackle on Adam Johnston and at that stage it looked as though the visitors were about to collapse in front of a crowd of nearly 3,000.

But the super-fit Blues showed immense character to score what could yet prove to be a goal of huge significance with six minutes remaining when winger Godbold volleyed home from just inside the box following Gary McGee's headed flick on.

Lowestoft joint-manager Micky Chapman said: “We could have crumbled at 2-0 but the boys were top drawer after that. You are never happy with a defeat, but you win nothing for being ahead at half-time and 2-1 is a lot different to 2-0.

Fellow boss Ady Gallagher said: “We've shown enough character to stay in the tie. The travelling fans were brilliant and hopefully they can now get behind us next week.”

Lowestoft have already sold over 1,200 tickets for the return leg at Crown Meadow next Saturday (April 4).

For full match report and reaction see Monday's East Anglian Daily Times.