DISS Reserves made Lowestoft battle to gain a 20th win in 21 league games which leaves them just one point off winning the league. The game ended 2-0 to the visiting Blues.

DISS Reserves made Lowestoft battle to gain a 20th win in 21 league games which leaves them just one point off winning the league.

The game ended 2-0 to the visiting Blues.

A young Diss defence played superbly - the central defensive partnership of Max Rissmann and Nathan Brown worked well as a unit and Scott Thaxton in goal had another superb match.

The Blues could have raced into a comfortable early lead. After just 30 seconds Sean Cook was judged to have tripped Jake Armes and referee Andy Case awarded a penalty kick.

After a delay for protests Henry Wyndham put the ball high over Scott Thaxton's bar.

In the second minute Chris Finch struck a shot against the Diss bar.

Diss gradually came more into the game but suffered a set back in the 19th minute when a hurried clearance only fell as far as Armes and he was able to steer his low shot into the corner of the net from 12 yards out.

Thaxton used all parts of his arms, legs and body to keep the ball out before half-time.

This included an excellent double save in the 30th minute and a point-blank block to deny Finch.

In the second half he saved a 63rd-minute shot from Daniel Scriven and brilliantly dived low to his left to tip away a 68th-minute shot from Scriven.

Their inability to get a second goal caused frustration for the visitors and Diss were playing a good passing game as they tried to open up a solid defence.

It would have interesting to see how Lowestoft would react to an equalising goal.

However, the game was settled in the 81st minute when Keiran Nicholls was unfortunate to divert a low cross from the left high into the top corner of his net. Lowestoft will return to Brewers Green Lane on Saturday, May 9 for the Ridgeons Reserve League play off match against the South Division winners.

Diss Man of the Match: Scott Thaxton, again display of tremendous confidence for a 17-year-old goalkeeper and made a number of top quality saves to frustrate the league leaders.

Final score: Diss Reserves 0, Lowestoft Town Reserves 2

Diss team: Scott Thaxton, Sean Cook, Keiran Nicholls, Nathan Brown, Max Rissmann, Ben Cussons, Karl Ansley, Luke Catchpole, Ray Baker, Terry Minshull, Jake McDowall.

Diss sub: Ray Barrett (for Minshull 71 mins), Craigh Beckham (for Catchpole 71 mins), Gary Warford (for Baker 59 mins) and Wayne Collins.

Diss Reserves have two away Ridgeons League North games this week - at Woodbridge Town Reserves on Saturday (kick off 3pm) and at Debenham Leisure Centre Reserves on Tuesday (kick off 7.45pm).