The win seemed to mean more to them

Dan Summers was handed his Worthing home debut against Lowestoft Town on Saturday. Picture by Stephen Goodger

Shaun Bammant’s header three minutes from time was enough to ensure The Trawler Boys edged a drab encounter 1-0 at Woodside Road.

For Worthing, defeat stretched their winless run in the league to eight matches as they look nervously below them with seven games to go.

Harrow Borough’s win over AFC Sudbury helped them move above Worthing - seeing them moved down to 14th - with just a nine-point cushion over themselves and fourth-bottom Leatherhead in the final relegation place.

Worthing coach Piper felt his side were a little flat on the day and said: “It seemed like the points meant more to them than us as we seemed a bit flat.

“Against the win in the first half we’d have taken nil-nil, but we needed to kick on in the second and we didn’t.

“We’re in a dogfight and need to make sure we focus for 90 minutes in matches. Unfortunately, we took our foot-of-the-gas and they took full advantage.

“We can’t do anything other than focus on Saturday and plan for a better result.”

Even the most ardent fan will admit the game lacked quality from start-to-finish with Worthing managing just five shots on target to Lowestoft’s one - the winner.

The home side were quick out of the blocks as Dan Summers carved out a good chance on his home debut. Corey Heath’s crossfield pass was taken in his stride, before his weak, scuffed effort failed to test Jake Jessup in Lowestoft’s goal.

Soon after, Louis Clark showed some neat footwork on the edge of the area but man-mountain Jessup was out quickly to thwart him.

Belward had to be alert to clear a short-backpass from Heath after 30 minutes, before Clark went close at the other end. A poor defensive headers afforded Clark some room to volley but he could only blaze over.

Lowestoft had the best opportunity of the half a minute prior to the interval. An unmarked Travis Cole somehow managed to head over from six yards out as the first 45 minutes ended scoreless.

Brannon O’Neill curled a free-kick just wide with Jessup stationary five minutes after the break, then The Trawler Boys began to take control.

Jake Reed had a goal disallowed after bundling home 14 minutes from time for offside, before Bammant got the game’s only goal.

He was allowed a free header just five yards out, which he tucked past Belward to take all three points for his side.

Worthing travel to sixth-placed play-off chasers Leiston in the league on Saturday.

WORTHING: Belward; Hendon, Cook, Heath, Rents; Edwards, O’Neill; Williamson, Clark, Sparks; Summers. Subs: Brodie (Williamson, 60), Herbert (Clark, 78), Watson, Boiling.

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The win seemed to mean more to them - Piper