THURROCK suffered a 1-0 defeat to Lowestoft Town following two consecutive draws in the Isthmian North.

Fleet secured a point against Merstham and Tonbridge Angels in their most recent encounters.

But they could not find a way past Ben Dudzinski, who was voted man of the match after making a string of fine saves to deny Mark Stimson's side.

The first chance fell to Lowestoft but Jake Reed fired off target.

Thurrock responded to the near miss by Jamie Price winning the ball in the middle of the pitch and releasing Dennis Oli on the right wing.

Oli's cross found Joel Nouble, by his curling effort went just wide.

Ronnie Winn then cleared the crossbar with a header from a corner.

The chances continued as Nouble cut in and shot from 25 yards out but the ball was always rising and Dudzinski was untroubled.

Oli played a sublime flick into space for the surging Ronnie Winn, who drew a point blank save from Dudzinski.

Nouble was denied by Dudzinski once again as the goalkeeper forced the effort past the post.

Lowestoft started the second half with a second wind and Thurrock sustained a period of pressure which the backline of Remi Sutton, Joe Bruce, George Winn and Reece Morgan dealt with.

Having weathered the storm, Thurrock created a couple of their own chances.

Price put his corner closer to the penalty spot and Joe Christou glanced his header just wide.

Nouble forced another save before Fleet's former Lowestoft shot-stopper Jessup was forced into his own point blank save.

With just under 10 minutes remaining, Lowestoft got the winner.

The ball came into the Thurrock penalty area from the left wing and was only half-cleared before being pinged back into the danger zone, where Rory McAuley got the slightest of touches to put the ball past Jessup.

Fleet pushed for a leveller but Dudzinski was able to keep a clean sheet after making another impressive save to stop Morgan grabbing a late equaliser.

Thurrock: Jessup, Bruce, Sutton, Price, G. Winn, Morgan, Christou, Oli, Antoine (Ogunrinde 74'), R. Winn, Nouble