Leiston came away with a point from a first ever meeting with Ilkeston Town from Derbyshire yesterday afternoon. On a hot day, the match was played at a terrific tempo and all 668 spectators were treated to a terrific encounter.

Adam Bailey-Dennis came in for Adam Mills who dropped to the bench in the Blues only change to the starting eleven from last weekend’s 3-2 win at home to Nuneaton Borough. Iuri Fernandes came back into the squad so this gave Jamie Eaton-Collins a chance to get some minutes under his belt in the Reserves match back at HQ’s.

Leiston started well and Finlay Barnes and George Quantrell were causing problems in the early stages, with Ryan Jarvis controlling the middle of midfield. Although the Blues had the majority of the ball, Ilkeston had the first chance on seven minutes. Jamie Ward got down the left hand side and crossed to Remaye Campbell but Sam Donkin smothered the cross well. But Leiston did work their shot on goal on 16 minutes, with Barnes feeding Will Davies however the striker’s shot was straight at Saul Deeney in the home goal. A minute later, slick movement by George Quantrell allowed him to pass to Seb Dunbar and he slid a ball across goal to Wyatt Hill but he shot just over the bar. In the 26th minute, Finlay Barnes again produced good foot work and this time George Quantrell shot wide at an angle. Just moments later and Barnes cut through the home defence and passed to Quantrell once more and Deeney made a terrific save to palm the ball away to safety. Ilkeston though were to take the lead in the 32nd minute. After forcing a couple of corners, Leiston couldn’t get the ball away and the ball fell to Montel Gibson who curled the ball over Sam Donkin and the ball hit the crossbar and post before the linesman gave the goal. Leiston protested but there would be no correction by the referee who gave the goal. Ilkeston played well for the remainder of the half, and the goalscorer Gibson volleyed just over the top before Ryan Jarvis needed some treatment at the end of the half but was helped to his feet and the midfielder carried on.

The hosts began the second period well before a minutes applause was held on 48 minutes for Ilkeston supporter Danny Clarke who passed away last weekend. We would like to send our condolences from everyone at LFC.

Will Davies had the first chance of the second period but he headed wide from a Seb Dunbar cross after more inventive play by Barnes. Davies had another chance a few minutes later though and this time it went onto the roof of the net after good work by Ryan Jarvis and George Quantrell. The Blues levelled the match on 65 minutes. Adam Bailey-Dennis cleared a corner and Finlay Barnes ran just outside the Leiston penalty area to jinx past four Ilkeston players and slot past Deeney into the keeper’s bottom right hand corner. Leiston defended well from then on in and chances were harder to come by. Sub Joe Marsden curled a free kick over the bar but the home side thought they had won it on 89 minutes when Zak Goodson curled a shot into Donkin’s top right hand corner. Leiston kept their heads however and went on to claim a leveller. In the final minute of added on time, Leiston took a quick free kick through Ryan Jarvis and Joe Marsden squared across the area to George Quantrell and he smashed high into the net to seal a deserved point. There was barely time to restart the match.

A great performance by the Blues which saw some really good individual performances. They will head to Royston Town on Tuesday for their next match.

FT: - Ilkeston Town 2-2 Blues.

Line-ups: -

Ilkeston Town: - Deeney, Kalern Thomas, Brown-Hill, Troke, Daly, Fenton, Ward (sub Bird 88 mins), Jack Thomas, Campbell (sub O’Grady 82 mins), Gibson, Wakefield (sub Goodson 74 mins). Subs not used: - Turner, Bukowski.

Blues: - Donkin, Hill (sub Marsden 74 mins), Dunbar, Hutchings, Rossi Jarvis, Bailey-Dennis, Ryan Jarvis, Dronfield, Quantrell, Barnes, Davies (sub Mills 90 mins). Subs not used: - Fernandes, Saunders.

Blues Man Of The Match: - Finlay Barnes.

Attendance: - 668.