Thurrock 0 Blues 0

The Blues missed the opportunity to leap into the play off places after being held at mid table Thurrock. A late penalty miss from Jack Ainsley proved costly as the visitors had to settle for a single point rather than all three as they extended their unbeaten League run to eight games.

Glen Driver brought Kyle Hammond and Dominic Docherty into the starting line-up while Joe Marsden and Christy Finch had to make due with a place on the bench along with Darren Mills who was cup -tied on Tuesday evening in the Suffolk Premier Cup. The hosts started the brighter of the two teams with Leiston getting caught a couple of times at the back as full back Remi Sutton tested Marcus Garnham with an early shot. Jake Reed created Leiston’s first shot on goal delivering for Chris Henderson some ten yards out but his effort ballooned over the crossbar. Jordan Clark had a great chance for Thurrock but he sliced his shot high and wide when well placed while in response Dominic Docherty jinxed into the penalty area but his shot was easily saved by Ben McNamara. Patrick Brothers’ strike was deflected over the bar by a defender as Leiston threatened but the sides went into the break all square in an entertaining first half on a greasy surface.

Leiston resumed the second half in determined fashion and an early Byron Lawrence shot was easy to catch for McNamara in the home goal before a cutting move almost opened the scoring on 56 minutes. Some neat play down the Blues left saw Seb Dunbar’s surge into the box and his cross looked to have been deflected into the net but Lewwis Spence made a tremendous goal-line clearance under his own bar with Chris Henderson agonisingly close to get a telling touch that would have brought a certain goal. Substitute Darren Mills set up Jake Reed a minute later but he shot straight at McNamara as Leiston increased the pressure. Kyle Hammond lifted his effort wide on the edge of the area before the same player nearly turned provider but Patrick Brothers put the ball wide of McNamara’s left hand upright. The Blues looked to have a big shout for a penalty with just over ten minutes remaining when Chris Henderson went down inside the box but they were left frustrated as the Referee waved away their appeals. But they were awarded a penalty seven minutes from time. Jake Reed's jinxing run wide on the left was brought to an abrupt end just inside the box with the Referee pointing straight to the spot. However, Jack Ainsley drove his spot kick low and past McNamara’s left hand post. It almost proved costly as in the final minute Jordan Clark raced clear but Marcus Garnham made a fine save with his leg as both sides had to settle for a point.

FT - Thurrock 0 Blues 0

Thurrock - McNamara, Morgan, Sutton, Goode, Peter, Clark, George Winn (Oseyemi 73 mins), Spence, Brown (Ogunrinde 60 mins), Ronnie Winn, Nouble (Cave 64 mins). Subs not used - Smith and Weston.

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Ainsley, Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence (Marsden 79 mins), Reed, Docherty (Mills 50 mins), Brothers (Finch 71 mins). Subs not used - Knights and Beckwith.

Man of the Match - Tom Bullard

Attendance - 139