The home side struck twice in the first 38 minutes, through Matt Stenson and Macwell Brogan, before Adam Mills pulled a goal back for Leiston just before the break.

However, Stenson struck again just eight minutes into the second half. It was a goal that proved decisive and, while Leiston never gave up, it was an upward battle they could not overcome, the home side running out 3-1 winners.

In front of a crowd of more than 1,000, Leiston had plenty of good moments, but it was the home side who ultimately came through as the result for them kept the pressure up on leaders Bedford Town.

Meanwhile, Leiston dropped out of the play-off positions, to sixth place, although they are still very much in the hunt. Next Saturday, they entertain third-placed Kettering Town at Victory Road.

Blues midfielder George Quantrell said after the game: “The first half we started slowly.

“To go two goals behind against a team that is second in the league, it’s always going to be a struggle getting back into it. We got a goal back, when they got a third just into the second half that killed us to be honest.

“We're pretty annoyed because they were avoidable goals. I mean we’ve cut that sort of thing out in the last month or so. But we’ll go again, it doesn’t turn us into a bad team overnight.”

The Blues won an early corner before Adam Mills' shot tested Brandon Hall in the home goal.

But it was the home side who took the lead on five minutes. Telford broke quickly and Stenson headed home from close range. It was an early blow to Leiston.

Eddie Jackson had a close-range shot blocked and the Blues had a couple of corners and Jamar Loza went down in the box, but penalty appeals were waved away.

Leiston had settled now and Dunbar produced a fine cross on the half-hour mark that Telford cleared for another Blues corner.

However, the home side were still dangerous, Lewis Trickett was played through but curled his shot just wide in the 35th minute. Three minutes later Telford made it two, Brogan volleying home from the edge of the box.

The Blues were up against it now, but they gave themselves a life-line when Mills netted well after good work from Quantrell and Dunbar.

Ben Fowkes dragged his shot wide as the second half got underway, while Billy Johnson in the visiting goal made a great save to his left from the ever-dangerous Stenson.

But on 54 minutes Stenson wasn't to be denied his second and a crucial third for the home side, guiding the ball over Johnson into the visitors net.

It was a long way back now for the Blues and manager made a triple substitution on 67 minutes, bringing on Ismael Fatadjo, Cameron Rayworth and Wyatt Hill for Albie Armin, Kyran Clements and Fowkes.

Fatatadjo shot wide after 83 minutes, but the game was as good as over as the visitors saw the end of a fine unbeaten run, while Telford kept the pressure up on Bedford Town at the top of the table.

FT: AFC Telford 3 Leiston 1

Line-ups: -
AFC Telford United: - Hall, Myles-Tebbutt, Cranston, Piggott, Pendley, Hawkins, Brogan, Rowe, Stenson (sub Walker 77 mins), Armson (sub Brown 63 mins), Trickett (sub Fridye-Harper 90+5 mins). Sub not used: - Hilton.
Blues: - Johnson, Yun, Dunbar, Armin (sub Rayworth 67 mins), Clements (sub Hill 67 mins), Eddie Jackson, Mills, Alexander, Fowkes (sub Fatadjo 67 mins), Quantrell, Loza. Subs not used: - Saunders, Ryan Jarvis.

Blues Man Of The Match: - George Quantrell.
Attendance: - 1,098.

Cover photo:- @KierenGPhotos