Lowestoft 3 Telford 0 - Report and pictures

The Bucks, who are targeting promotion from National League North, were hit by two goals in as many minutes when first Jake Reed and then Danny Crow struck on the counter-attack.

And Reed then took advantage of another defensive lapse 12 minutes from time to hand Steve Kittrick's side a heavy defeat.

It has not always looked destined to end this way, as the Bucks enjoyed the better chances in a close first half.

Striker Dave Hibbert went close to a ninth-minute opener but goalkeeper Jake Jessup saved well from close range.

But the home side then enjoyed a purple patch, applying regular pressure thanks in large part to the skill and vision of midfielder Chris Henderson.

Sean Clancy had to head a corner-kick clear on the line on 21 minutes after James Montgomery had failed to claim the ball in the box.

Danny Glover almost made it 1-0 to Telford when he nodded just over from a one-on-one position, having raced on to Greg Wilkinson's chipped cross into the box.

Ex-Norwich City man Ryan Jarvis had Lowestoft's best chance of the first half minutes later but Montgomery got down low to deny him from close range.

Jessup had to be alert at the other end on the half hour mark though to deny Glover, who ghosted in between the two centre halves to fire in a low drive.

Jack Roberts also went close for Telford with a looping effort which just missed the target five minutes before the interval.

But Montgomery had to show some agility to save Erkan Okay's low effort following a poor clearance by Jack Deaman.

Glover almost broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time but Jessup just managed to tip his curling effort over the bar.

Hibbert wasted a decent headed chance for the Bucks just after the re-start, but the home side settled quickly with Reed in particular becoming an increasing threat on the break.

It needed clearances from Izak Reid, Sean Clancy and Jack Deaman to deny him on three separate occasions.

Telford should have gone ahead when Johnny Gorman and Greg Wilkinson were denied in quick succession by Jessup midway through the half.

But Henderson went very close with a rasping long range effort on 67 minutes and Reed finally made the breakthrough two minutes later after galloping onto a long ball into the box.

He was given far too much time to turn and shoot but Jack Roberts almost levelled immediately with a thumping effort which was well saved by Jessup.

But Crow doubled the home side's lead two minutes later with a clinical strike from a lightning-quick counter-attack which caught the Bucks' back four napping.

Reed capped a superb second half display with a fine low finish after Telford had failed to deal with a ball into the area.

Telford's defence was their Achilles heel last season, and it is an area in which they will have to improve significantly in the coming weeks and months.

Manager Steve Kittrick saw his defensive options reduced before kick-off when he confirmed that summer signing Mat Bayley has returned to former club Nantwich Town.