A trip to Basingstoke Town is Enfield Town’s reward after Liam Hope’s late winner secured a 1-0 victory at Lowestoft Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

Andy Leese’s side looked like they would have to settle for a replay but in the last minute of normal time the Towners substitute reacted sharpest to force the ball over the line from close range after a free-kick had been flicked on.

It gave Enfield their first win in seven attempts at Crown Meadow and they will now travel to Hampshire to face the Southern League Premier Division South side in the second qualifying round on Saturday, November 10.

Lowestoft went into Saturday’s tie with only one point from their previous six outings and with several players ruled out through injury, but form counted for little as the hosts made life awkward for Enfield.

The visitors had early opportunities as a Billy Bricknell header from a Remi Sutton cross was tipped round the post by goalkeeper Elvijs Putnins, Lewis Taaffe shot wide while Matt Johnson saw a header saved.

As the game wore on and conditions continued to deteriorate, it became more of a battle and the number of chances lessened as a result.

Sam Hatton chanced his arm from distance and Johnson got a touch as the effort went narrowly wide, before the Trawlerboys’ Conor McKendry cut inside from the right but was unable to test Joe Wright with his shot.

Having been forced into a change at the end of the first half when Rian McLean replaced the injured Dan Rumens, the visitors’ passing game was tested at the start of the second period as heavy rain fell on a pitch which was already soft in patches.

Bricknell had a shot saved and Sam Youngs fired over, but after a good spell for Lowestoft their opponents had further opportunities, with Taofiq Olomowewe heading wide from a corner and a big scramble ensuing after Putnins had parried a Youngs effort.

Lowestoft’s opportunities had been limited but they were to spurn an excellent one when Henry Pollock’s cross found substitute Shaun Bammant, but he fired over from close range with the goal at his mercy.

A midweek replay was looking increasingly likely, but with time starting to run out a poor challenge by Kieran Higgs sparked a melee.

After the Lowestoft player had been booked, along with Youngs for retaliation, the free-kick was floated into the area, flicked on by McLean and Hope applied the decisive touch to reward a determined display by the visitors.

Town’s focus now switches back to the league and Saturday’s home clash with Haringey Borough.

Enfield go into the game second in the Bostik Premier Division table, a point behind Tonbridge Angels.