VCD Athletic 0 Blues 0

Leiston climbed back into the play off positions following this stalemate at the Oakwood Stadium. All the excitement was reserved for the opening half with neither side forcing either keeper into a notable save in the second half. It was also the Blues first clean sheet for ten League games in a game where on first half chances and creativity, they should have won. The first shot in anger came from the hosts, Ashlee Jones saving low to his left from a snap shot from Neita after a free kick from Bruce was not cleared. Despite this early chance the visitors started well and a fine save from Budd denied Tom Bullard from Billy Clark's cross on ten minutes. Seven minutes later Gareth Heath forced Budd into a hurried clearance that fell to Billy Clark whose instinctive 40 yard effort was only just wide. Billy Clark was instrumental in all the Blues good approach play and on 22 minutes some neat skills from the ex Bury Town midfielder created space and his crisp shot stung the hands of Budd. Minutes later Budd bettered his early save with a super right handed save to deny Leon Ottley-Gooch after a superb defence splitting pass from Gareth Heath. Leiston were now playing some fine football and an acrobatic overhead kick from Patrick Brothers found the net but the Assistant's flag had already been raised for offside. But as the half closed the hosts rallied. Bakare and Wickham combined well to create the hosts best opening but Wickham fired over from just inside the box. Ten minutes before the interval VCD went close to the opener. Defending a Leiston free kick near their own by-line, the ball fell invitingly to Simmonds who went on a galloping run from deep in his own half, ending with a shot from the edge of the Leiston box that was well saved by Ashlee Jones to his right.

HT - VCD Athletic 0 Blues 0

The second half lacked the excitement of the first but could have been so different had Gareth Heath's effort found the net instead of rolling wide of the goal, Patrick Brothers finding the Blues midfielder just inside the box but after beating Budd his shot rolled agonisingly wide of the left post just seven minutes into the half. The direct running of Bakare had the visitors stretched at times and one such run had the visitors struggling, Leon Ottley-Gooch picking up a yellow card for stopping his run in full flight. The Blues lost the hard working Danny Cunningham through injury, falling awkwardly just before the hour mark to be replaced by Joe Francis. Moments later the hosts forced their first corner of the half and from Probet's delivery Bruce saw his header loop just past the far post. Both sides lacked any guile in the final third with neither keeper being really troubled. The Blues had a scare on 77 minutes when Ashlee Jones spilled Probet's corner but the loose ball was well defended. Three minutes later Simmonds had the ball in the Leiston net following a free kick conceded by Joe Francis. The initial delivery was cleared but returned into the box for Simmonds but his joy was short lived, interrupted by the Assistant's offside flag. Both sides pushed for the winner but were unable to forge a clear cut sight of goal.

FT - VCD Athletic 0 Blues 0

VCD Athletic - Budd, Tchonang, Probets, Avery, Bruce, Joseph, Graham, Wickham, Neita, Simmonds (Meuga 88 mins) , Bakare (Awotwi 79 mins). Subs not used - Nwokeji, Tejaiye and Brickwood.

Blues - Jones, Saker, Dunbar, Cunningham (Francis 59 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Clark, Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Finch, Brothers (Winter 88 mins). Subs not used - Taylor and Rossis.

Man of the Match - Billy Clark

Attendance - 82