THE Blues made it seven points from their last three away league games as they beat Spalding United in a first ever meeting between the two sides on Tuesday night.

Goals from Ben Fowkes and Jamar Loza, either side of the interval, ensured the Blues left with all the points, although Spalding forward Bartosz Cybulski pulled one back to make it a dramatic finish at the Sir Halley Stewart Field. The Blues were unchanged from Saturday’s win at Redditch United on a mild evening for football in Lincolnshire.

Loza won an early corner for Leiston in the third minute but Spalding cleared their lines. The hosts then won a free kick on the Blues right but Khanya Leshabela headed wide from the delivery, wide of Billy Johnson’s right-hand upright.

Loza played in Ollie Saunders on 13 minutes as the Blues defender got behind the home defence, but the offside flag was raised by the assistant referee.

Connor Tomlinson put in a cross on 18 minutes but Johnson was there to gather before two minutes later, home keeper Tony Brendon’s clearance fell to George Quantrell who shot narrowly wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

In the 22nd minute, Lamine Sherif’s ball from the Blues left was met by Tomlinson but Johnson made a good save to his left before getting up to save the ball on the goal line.

A minute later, and after winning themselves a corner, Kyran Clements met the ball from Fraser Alexander but headed over the bar.

At the other end, Cybulski headed just wide from Kieron Freeman’s cross in the 25th minute while three minutes later, good play by Loza set up Fowkes on the left, but the players dangerous ball was cleared.

Just last the half hour mark, Johnson made a good save to his right from Tomlinson before on 34 minutes Lewis Hilliard’s shot went just over the bar.

Cybulski couldn’t believe his luck on 38 minutes when he met the ball from six yards but Johnson made an incredible save to divert the ball over the bar, with the striker showing his appreciation for the save, along with the home manager. A minute later, and the hosts thought they had taken the lead, but the Spalding player was deemed to have handled the ball.

The Blues took the lead on 44 minutes when Loza dribbled down the Blues left and his shot was deflected into the path of Fowkes who calmly lobbed the loose ball over Breedon to give Leiston the lead.

In the last kick of the half, Spalding appealed for a penalty but referee Ian Rudduck waved away any protests.

Three minutes after the break, Fowkes sprinted down the left flank for Leiston with the ball to win a throw, although the attack was cleared.

Leiston, though, doubled their lead on 51 minutes. Rossi Jarvis’ long pass found Quantrell on the edge of the box and the Blues midfielder produced a pinpoint cross that was met by Loza, and the player brilliantly cushioned the ball into Breedon’s bottom right hand corner for his 11th goal of the season.

Four minutes later, and Clements headed away a corner for the Blues, before on 57 minutes, Hilliard’s effort hit his own player to go just wide of the goal.

Leshabela let fly on 62 minutes but the ball was taken by Johnson before both teams started to make changes.

Rossi Jarvis headed away a ball from a corner and Leiston won a free kick as time started to eat away. The Blues had a great chance to make it three in the 68th minutes when Loza crossed to Fowkes and the player’s shot was cleared off the line while the ball fell to Loza who’s attempt was well cleared also.

Cybulski turned well to score into Johnson’s bottom left hand corner to pull a goal back for the hosts on 72 minutes after a corner wasn’t cleared. After a couple of half chances, sub Abduramame Sano Sani had a great chance to level but put the ball over Johnson’s goal from six yards.

Leiston then dealt with balls into the box and kept the ball well, making it difficult for Spalding to get behind and make any real chances to level. After five minutes of stoppages, the whistle did sound, meaning the Blues go up to 12th in the table.

FT: - Spalding United 1 Blues 2

Chris Wigger’s side are without a game on Saturday before they head to Bury Town next Tuesday in Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup 1st Round action.

Line-ups: - Spalding United: - Breedon, Freeman, Walker, Dawes, Cartwright, Warburton (sub Nyahwema 72 mins), Sherif (sub Winters 72 mins), Leshabela, Cybulski, Tomlinson (sub Sano Sani 64 mins), Hillard. Subs not used: - Chettle, Stainfield.

Blues: - Johnson, Hill (sub Yun 76 mins), Saunders, Clements, Eddie Jackson, Rossi Jarvis, Ryan Jarvis (sub Armin 64 mins), Alexander, Fowkes (sub Curtis 85 mins), Quantrell, Loza (sub Manly 87 mins). Sub not used: - Fatadjo.

Blues Man Of The Match: - Jamar Loza.

Attendance: - 282.