LEISTON put in a good performance at Halesowen as they came back from a goal down to level late on, thanks to Kyran Clements 84-th minute header.

It was no more than Chris Wigger's side deserved in an entertaining fixture in front of more than 1,000 fans.

The same XI that started the game in the FA Cup at home to Waltham Abbey last Saturday remained, while Albie Armin was missing through injury.

Halesowen came forward in the opening minute as Connor Tee ran at the Blues down their right to deliver into the area but Billy Johnson pushed away his shot and the loose ball was cleared. On four minutes, George Quantrell tested Platt, who made a good save to his left after good work by Jamar Loza. McKauley Manning and Joshua Smile then had efforts for the home team but Johnson saved and the latter's attempt went over the crossbar. Tee shot wide of Johnson’s left hand upright on 16 minutes while Ben Fowkes was wide with his strike.

On 22 minutes, Wyatt Hill headed away a cross after being under pressure from Kieren Connolly. Eddie Jackson had to make a good challenge at the back for the Blues and Johnson again punched away a corner as the half ticked on. From a right angle, Johnson denied Enock Lokeba with his legs and then just before the break, Leiston had good possession, winning a few corners but Halesowen dealt with the Blues deliveries. Loza had a strike pushed onto the bar from Daniel Platt while at the other end, Johnson did well to claim a free kick as the interval came.

Moments after the break, Johnson saved a shot inside the box before the Blues keeper did excellently to turn round Manning’s free kick around his left hand upright. But from the corner the home side took the lead, Enock Lokeba turning home from close range to put Halesowen in front on 48 minutes.

Leiston tested Platt through Loza on 54 minutes and just before the hour, Loza went through on goal but a last-ditch challenge saw Halesowen stay in front. Platt punched away a corner through a crowded penalty area and the hosts went up the other end by Lokeba’s header was straight at Johnson. The Blues were putting some good balls into the area now but the home side nearly doubled the lead but Donnelly hit the post halfway through the second period. Johnson made another fantastic save from eight yards while sub Ismael Fatadjo shot just wide in a decent Blues chance.

The leveller came on 84 minutes when Fatadjo sent in a cross and fellow sub Kyran Clements met it just before Platt to head home from six yards. Late on, another shot hit the post for Halesowen while Wyatt Hill had to clear a ball off the line. Fowkes also had a chance for Leiston but Platt was well down to his shot.

FT: - Halesowen Town 1-1 Blues.

Leiston are back in action on Tuesday night when AFC Sudbury visit Victory Road in the league (7.45pm kick off).

Line-ups:
Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Jak Hickman (Ben Cassidy 80), Reece Mitchell, Nat Kelly, Ryan Wynter (c), Ryan Wollacott, Josh Smile, Conor Tee (Todd Parker 76), Enock Lusiama Lokeba (Ryan Boothe 69), Kieren Donnelly (Finley Holmes 69), McKauley Manning. Sub Not Used: Lewis Solly.
Leiston: Billy Johnson; Wyatt Hill (c), Oliver Yun, Fraser Alexander, Eddie Jackson, Jack Manley (Ismael Botelho-Fatadjo 58), Oliver Saunders (Sebastian Dunbar 76), Ben Fowkes, George Quantrell, Jamar Loza, Ryan Jarvis (Kyran Clements 76). Sub Not Used: Benjamin Batho.

Blues Man Of The Match: - Billy Johnson.
Attendance: - 1,203