Kings Lynn Town 1-1 Leiston - Match Report

Stuart Boardley started Harry Knights at centre-back alongside Tom Bullard, as Joe Jefford was ill but fit enough to feature on the bench, while Christy Finch came in for Jake Reed who was playing for the Reserves. Ashley Nicholls was unavailable so Will Davies, Josh Cheetham and Jac Garrard came into the squad, with Josh Moore also playing for the Reserves.

Both teams had to settle for a point in this keenly contested Southern League Central Premier match at the Walks Stadium.

The point for Kings Lynn kept them third and means they are now 17 matches unbeaten in the league, while Leiston drop to 11th but are only four points off the play-offs after what was a good performance. The game nearly got off to a great start for the visitors after a through ball by George Keys put Kyle Hammond in on goal, but home keeper Alex Street was out to make a decent save. Matt Blake had a good chance moments later but his shot was straight at Street. Adam Marriott had the home sides first sight of goal but the striker pulled his strike just wide of Marcus Garnham's left-hand post. Leiston, defending well, had Seb Dunbar to thank after he cleared a goal-bound effort off the line from Marriott before Blake hit Street's crossbar from Dunbar's cross. Craig Parker was denied by Marcus Garnham just before the break for Lynn.

In the first 30 seconds of the second period, Byron Lawrence assisted a pass to Blake but he miskicked his shot. Patrick Brothers' great run and cross was then nervously punched away by Street, but the keeper redeemed himself, getting up to palm away a Hammond driving shot inside the area. Leiston, playing in orange, were in good shape and took the lead in the 59h minute when another great run by Brothers put the ball into the box and Blake touched home from close range. Blake could have doubled the lead and got his second, but wasted an opportunity soon after. Lynn started to create chances themselves and Garnham in the away goal produced a terrific save to his right to deny Marriott. The hosts levelled when a cross from the left was met by a header at the back post and Marriott tapped home. George Keys was sent off for two yellow cards with 15 minutes to go and Ryan Hawkins had a couple of chances that went wide. Michael Gash hit the crossbar while Garnham denied Ryan Jarvis, Hawkins and sub Adam Jones late on with some outstanding saves, with Leiston defending valiantly to end up holding on for a point they fully deserved.

FT: - Kings Lynn Town 1-1 Blues.

Stuart Boardley said after the match: -

'I thought we were outstanding against a very good Kings Lynn side. On balance of chances in my opinion we really could have won it but it was a fantastic game of football. The spirit the lads showed particularly when going down to ten men was first class and now takes our unbeaten run to 6 games. Also, I'd like to pay a special mention to our loyal band of supporters who were once again superb, the team really appreciate it.

Line-ups: -

Kings Lynn Town : - Street, Robinson (Jones 60 mins), Blake-Tracey, Jarvis, Fryatt, McAuley, Clunan, Parker, Gash, Marriott, Hawkins. Subs not used: - Henderson, Bastock, Castellan, Shipp.

Leiston: - Garnham, Keys, Dunbar, Aitkens, Knights (Jefford 90+6 mins), Bullard, Lawrence, Hammond, Finch (Davies 82 mins), Blake (Cheetham 90+2 mins), Brothers. Subs not used: - Garrard, Beckwith.

Man Of The Match: - Marcus Garnham.

Attendance: - 704.