Notley's Lowestoft and District League round upIT was the case of the late, late, late show in the popular three-division Lowestoft league at the weekend.

Notley's Lowestoft and District League round up

IT was the case of the late, late, late show in the popular three-division Lowestoft league at the weekend.

A number of games across the leagues were decided in the dying minutes with teams vying for points snatching draws and victories from the clutches of defeat during a weekend of late goals.

With division one leaders Norton inactive, second-placed Waveney Reserves failed to take advantage as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Dip Farm by fourth-placed Oxford Arms. In a topsy-turvy encounter, Arms scored in the last minute to snatch a draw and while they deserved point, Waveney did have a penalty saved. Norton now head the table by a point from Waveney, with the village side boasting a game in hand.

Barsham moved up into third after a 1-0 away win at 11th placed Corton White Horse Seltic, while fifth placed Spexhall were reliant on a last minute equaliser as they were held 3-3 by tenth placed Blundeston Magpies.

Sixth placed Hearts of Oak overtook Kirkley & Pakefield A with a 4-1 victory at Walmer Road, as the home side slip to eighth. Ole Frank scored with the last kick of the game to make it 2-2 and move into seventh at home against first from bottom Mutford & Wrentham.

The late show continued in Beccles, as ninth placed Pot Black scored a last minute penalty to beat bottom of the table Caxton Reserves 1-0.

In division two, leaders AFC Star extended their lead at the top with a 6-0 demolition of fifth placed Ellingham. Second placed Pakefield Re-United needed a last minute goal to draw 2-2 with first from bottom Bungay Town A, as goals from Harlow and Coote leave Nail Dale's side four points behind the leaders with two games in hand.

Third placed Suffolk Punch were held to a 3-3 home draw by eight placed Crusaders, while fourth placed Great Yarmouth Town Hall suffered a cup hangover as they slipped to a 4-1 away defeat at sixth placed Hopton.

Seventh placed Corton A also lost 2-1 away at bottom of the table Harleston Town Reserves, while Tudor moved up into ninth with a good 2-1 home win over in-form tenth-placed Lowestoft International. Norton Athletic Reserves moved into 11th after a 4-0 home win over 12th placed Sole Bay United Reserves, with two goals from Dan Robinson and others from Steve Rivett and Steve Nicol.

The top five sides in division three all won on Saturday, and there remains just five points between the top five. Leaders Waveney Gunners beat tenth placed Westhall 4-0 away, while second placed Waveney A narrowly beat first from bottom Factory Arms 3-2 away.

There was a similar scoreline for third placed Earsham as they narrowly beat Oxford Arms Reserves 3-2 at Dip Farm. Fourth placed Spexhall Reserves beat bottom of the table Carlton Rangers 2-1, while two goals from Olly Winram were vital in fifth placed Kirkley & Pakefield B's 2-1 away win at eighth placed Mutford & Wrentham Reserves.

Norman Warrior remain in seventh after a fine 6-0 away win over ninth placed Blundeston Magpies Reserves.

The John Moore Shield semi final draw has been made, and the top two sides in division three have been pitted together as Waveney Gunners clash with Waveney A and Earsham take on Marquis of Lorne in the other last four encounter, with dates for the games to be confirmed.

Mark Boggis