Woodrow opened the scoring after just four minutes

Richard Woodrow scored twice for the home side and goals by Russell Stock and Jamie Godbold sealed the win.

Brian Rose was sent off for Whitley after 13 minutes.

23-year-old Woodrow told BBC Radio Norfolk: "It's always difficult playing against 10 men and I think they showed that in the second half."

Lowestoft, who were underdogs for the tie, will travel to Whitley next Saturday with a four-goal cushion.

Woodrow said: "3-0 would have been beyond our wildest dreams but with our second-half performance we deserved a fourth goal and luckily we got it."

But home goalkeeper Andy Reynolds had to be stretchered off the field with an injury.

The Lowestoft joint manager Mick Chapman told BBC Radio Norfolk: "He cleared the ball with no-one around him, the next minute he's down in agony."

"He's gone off to hospital, it could be his groin or his hip, we'll get an update later, fingers crossed its not too bad."

Despite the injury Chapman is already looking forward to the away leg and the possibility of a Wembley final.

"We've won the home leg, it's going to be tough up there, we're under no illusion, the preparation for next week starts tomorrow."