EDDIE Jackson scored a dramatic 92nd-minute winner as Leiston progressed into the next round of the FA Cup writes Craig Cooper.

This Second Qualifying Round tie at Hitchin Town yesterday seemed destined for a replay at the Flannery Stadium on Tuesday night after Adam Mills’ first half goal was cancelled out by a Blue Joy equaliser for the home side.

However, substitute Jackson was on hand to make his diving header count after the ball came back off the bar and into his path in the dying seconds, sending the away supporters delirious with joy.

It means the Blues are again in the FA Cup hat for the Third Round Qualifying draw (the third time in three seasons), which takes place Monday lunchtime.

Chris Wigger bought Adam Marriott into the starting line-up for the match and also Noel Aitkens, with Jude Frostick dropping to the bench while Willie Clemons was unavailable for the tie. Jackson came back into the squad and took his place on the bench after missing last week’s game at Banbury United through illness.

Hitchin Town started the better of the two sides for the first ten minutes. ‘The Canaries’ won an early throw in but the long ball into the area was cleared by Blues defender Ben Batho and away to safety.

A cross from the hosts left was then sent into the area but was claimed by Callum Robinson. In the 9th minute, Robinson pushed out a home strike from distance before the Blues started to dominate the tie.

On 12 minutes, Adam Mills flicked on a ball from Seb Dunbar and Harvey Sayer got a strike in on goal but Tyler McGregor made a great save with his feet.

Dunbar crossed from Leiston’s left on 18 minutes and the captain’s cross was a good one but it evaded everyone and went out for a goal kick.

Then, on 28 minutes, the first goal came. Sayer and Batho combined well down the Blues right and the latter’s cross across the six yard box was met by Mills at the back post who adjusted his feet well to side foot home and score his 11th goal of the campaign.

Marriott was off target with a shot after Mills’ long throw-in and, after the restart, Sayer’s strike was saved by McGregor after Kyle Callan-McFadden won a tackle at the back to set off a move.

On 41 minutes, Batho again found Mills with a cross and the player’s header hit McGregor’s crossbar.

The home keeper then kept out Joe Henman’s deflected effort just before the break while Fraser Alexander’s shot was blocked and Marriott’s overhead kick went over the bar.

The second half started slowly for both sides in terms of chances on goal, with Wyatt Hill and Dunbar doing well to thwart a home attack in the 51st minute.

Mills quickly won a corner at the other end while Henman’s shot was brilliantly pushed over by McGregor in the Hitchin goal. Mills then had a shot go over before Hitchin won a dangerous free kick just outside the Blues box and Hill was booked.

Hitchin had a period of pressure on the Blues goal with Dylan Stitt shooting just wide and Robinson smothered a close range shot on 67 minutes. After winning a corner, Joy bundled the ball over the line on 71 minutes to level the scores.

Leiston then had four shots at goal in quick succession, with Mills off target twice and Aitkens shooting wide, with Batho going the closest, the ball going agonisingly wide of McGregor’s left hand post.

The last ten minutes saw Leiston put a few balls into the box but the home side dealt with them before Leiston won a corner on 92 minutes. After the corner was headed away, Dunbar put the ball back in and a home defender headed the ball back onto the bar as Jackson followed the ball in and headed home to put Leiston back ahead.

There was time for Mills to get booked but Leiston stood firm for the last two minutes and booked their place in the next round.

FT: Hitchin Town 1 Leiston 2

The Blues now look forward to welcoming Peterborough Sports to the Flannery Stadium on Tuesday as they return to league action.

Line-ups:

Hitchin Town: McGregor, Butler (Olarerin 65 mins), Kane, Joy, Syme, Jones, Stitt (Freitas-Gouveia 87 mins), Cotter, Duodu (Morrall 89 mins), Tearle (Luke Stokoe 46 mins), Nicolson (Dan Stokoe 81 mins). Subs not used: Breen and Briggs.

Blues: Robinson, Hill (Jackson 58 mins), Dunbar, Callan-McFadden, Henman, Alexander, Marriott (Rangel 70 mins), Sayer (Rayworth 80 mins), Mills, Batho, Aitkens. Subs not used: Frostick and Jarvis.

Blues Man Of The Match: Seb Dunbar

Attendance: 618