KYRAN Clements struck twice in the second half as Leiston made it three straight league wins to move up to eighth in the Southern League Premier Central division after a 2-0 victory over Hitchin Town, at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium.

Clements bundled the ball home just after the break, after Cameron Rayworth's shot had been saved, and he was on hand again 20 minutes later to turn home a loose ball after Albie Armin's shot was blocked.

It was another clean sheet for the Blues, their third on the spin, and it's now one defeat in eight in all competitions for Chris Wigger's side, who head to Biggleswade Town on Tuesday night in another league fixture.

Hitchin were good value throughout, having hit a good run of form themselves, but its Leiston who find themselves three points off the play-off spots.

Eddie Jackson, who picked up a concussion injury three weeks ago against Stratford Town, was back fit for the Blues whilst Ismael Fatadjo was back into the squad after missing last week’s game at Bromsgrove Sporting. Ryan Jarvis came back into the 16, as Rossi Jarvis (injured) and Ethan Oldman and Stan Horne dropped out the squad.

Clements headed over from an Ollie Yun delivery from the Blues right in the first effort on goal after just three minutes, with Leiston attacking the Fairground End.

Chances from both sides were then hard to come by, with a lot of play of possession from the home side. Jackson made a good challenge in the box to thwart a Hitchin attack while at the other end, Seb Dunbar played in George Quantrell, but the Blues midfielder couldn’t control the ball and it ran through into the arms of Sebastian Stacey in the away goal.

On 19 minutes, Ben Fowkes saw his effort deflected just wide of Stacey’s left-hand post and just before the half hour, Liam Brooks went wide from a free kick. Late in the half, Jamar Loza went through on goal to be denied by Stacey and Quantrell’s header was cleared off the line as the Blues sought the opening goal.

Early in the second half, Leiston took the lead.

Rayworth, who had come on as a substitute at the interval for Wyatt Hill, saw his attempt saved by Stacey but Clements turned home to the delight of the 200 plus home crowd.

On 55 minutes, Stacey made a great save to his left to keep out Fowkes, while Johnson stopped Liam Brooks from scoring at the other end.

Dunbar and Loza then linked up well on the left with Hitchin putting the ball behind for a corner and Stacey came to claim Fraser Alexander’s delivery in a crowded penalty box.

Leiston’s second goal came on 68 minutes when Quantrell crossed to Loza, who pulled the ball back to Armin whose shot was blocked but Clements was on hand again to net his second of the game and eighth of the campaign.

With time running out, Hitchin substitute Henry Snee’s free-kick was easy for Blues man-of-the-match Johnson in the home goal, before Dunbar headed away a dangerous cross and Johnson claimed the next ball back into Leiston’s area.

Blues substitute Fatadjo tested Stacey on 88 minutes before Johnson tipped over Kye Tearle’s free kick in the first minute of additional time in one of the last pieces of action in the game.

FT: Blues 2 Hitchin Town 0

Leiston now head to Biggleswade Town on Tuesday night in their next league game (7.45pm kick off).

How the sides lined up;

Blues: Johnson, Yun, Dunbar, Armin, Clements, Eddie Jackson, Hill (Rayworth 46 mins), Alexander, Fowkes (Fatadjo 63 mins), Quantrell, Loza (Saunders 90 mins). Subs not used: Batho and Ryan Jarvis.

Hitchin Town: Stacey, Franklin, Dixon-Hodge (Snee 46 mins), Syme, Tearle, Jones, Deall, Gleeson (Bature 65 mins), Brooks (Lawson 61 mins), Ekongo, Titchmarsh. Subs not used: Joy and Heaps.

Blues Man Of The Match, selected by Corporate match sponsors Flick & Sons (Coast & Country): Billy Johnson

Attendance: 210