Leiston came back from a goal down to earn a creditable draw against Essex opponents in Bishop’s Stortford, after Ben Fowkes’ stoppage time penalty cancelled out Bradley Russell’s opening goal on 57 minutes.

Chris Wigger made one change to Saturday’s side that lost to Stratford Town as new signing Fraser Alexander replaced Ryan Jarvis, with the Blues player dropping to the bench.

Ismael Fatadjo got at the away side in the third minute and the midfielders cross was cleared away for a corner, with George Quantrell nearly getting on the end of it. From the set piece, Eddie Jackson headed just wide of ‘Stortford’s keeper Charles Binns right hand post. On nine minutes, Kyran Clements recovered from a slip at the back to put the ball out for a corner and George Quantrell cleared any danger up the field.

Wyatt Hill shot over on the edge of the 18-yard box while on 13 minutes, Albie Armin won the ball on the halfway line and fed the ball into Ismael Fatadjo who tested Binns but the keeper got down easily to his right. Charlie Castle forced Billy Johnson into a decent save before Olumide Oluwatimilhen was just off target from the corner, heading just wide of Johnson’s left hand post. Jamar Loza and Jack Roberts then went close for the Blues before Johnson made a good save to tip a free kick wide of his left hand upright. Castle then headed wide from a free kick while debutant Fraser Alexander worked Binns at the other end. As the half came to a close, Ollie Yun shot just over the crossbar for the Blues.

Loza’s cross was taken low by Binns early in the second period, while Albie Armin joined Ollie Saunders in the book with a late foul. On 53 minutes, Quantrell got down the Blues left before squaring back to Ollie Saunders and the midfielders attempt went to Loza who struck into Binns left hand side netting. Roberts fired wide while Loza forced Binns into a good save as both sides were going to try and break the deadlock. On 57 minutes, the Blues thought they had won a could but referee Ben Bowles played on and Bradley Russell went through on goal to beat Johnson, with the Leiston keeper nearly saving his strike.

Both teams now started to make changes and Armin’s header in the area went just over before Alexander’s shot was well blocked. Loza forced Binns to make a good save to his left as Bishop’s Stortford defended some terrific crosses into the area from Leiston. The impressive Cole Dasilva then saw Johnson turn the ball round his left hand post.

On 84 minutes, Ismael Fatadjo saw his header loop off an away defender and onto Binns’ left hand post while the away custodian caught Jack Manly’s shot on the edge of the box four minutes later. Leiston won a penalty on 91 minutes, with sub Fowkes turning into the are and passing to Kyran Clements, who was fouled, and up stepped Fowkes to send Binns the wrong way. On 93 minutes, Greg Halford was sent off for an elbow on Eddie Jackson band in the last chance of the match, Alexander’s shot was blocked as both teams had to make die with a point.

FT: - Blues 1-1 Bishop’s Stortford.

Leiston host Harborough Town at the weekend as the teams meet for the first time ever in their history.

Line-ups: -
Blues: - Johnson, Hill (sub Batho 77 mins), Yun, Armin, Clements, Eddie Jackson (sub Rossi Jarvis 90+4 mins), Fatadjo, Saunders (sub Fowkes 62 mins), Quantrell, Loza (sub Manly 77 mins), Alexander. Sub not used: - Ryan Jarvis.

Bishop’s Stortford: - Binns, Dasilva, Warner-Eley, Oluwatimilehin (sub Amu 64 mins), Thompson, Moutawafiq (sub Taylor 64 mins) Russell (sub Vircigilo 74 mins), Roberts (sub Rotimi 71 mins), Castle (sub Ismaili 60 mins), Ogwuazor, Halford.

Blues Man Of The Match: - Fraser Alexander.
Attendance: - 233.