LEISTON missed the chance to put pressure on the sides above them in the play-off picture as Kettering took full advantage of Blues’ profligation at both ends of the pitch.

Two goals from Poppies striker Isiah Noel-Williams saw the Northamptonshire side take all three points after a 2-0 victory, but Leiston will be kicking themselves for allowing a good performance to reap nothing.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd, swelled by many who had made the journey east from Kettering and with both sides pushing for the play-offs, it was a tight affair throughout, but one Leiston bossed for long periods and will rightly feel they should have got at least a point out of.

A mistake by Blues ‘keeper Billy Johnson in the home goal gifted Kettering striker Noel-Williams the first just before the break, with Leiston on top at that stage, and it was Noel-Williams again who sealed the deal 15 minutes from time, side-footing home after Devon Kelly-Evans’ effort had come off the post.

That second strike, however, was after the Blues missed a wonderful opportunity to bring the match all level and set up a grandstand last quarter, after handball in the home defence saw Jamar Loza with the chance to make it 1-1 on 65 minutes from the spot.

However, Leiston’s top scorer saw his shot saved by Daniel Jezeph in the visitors’ goal. It was the second missed penalty from six spot kicks this season.

The defeat leaves the Blues six points off the play-off picture in seventh place but, with still plenty of points on offer, there are likely to be many twists and turns in the weeks ahead.

"I think we'll play not as well as that and win games," Blues head coach Lee Norfolk said.

"It was a harsh one for the lads. Mixed emotions really. I'm really proud of the way they went about their jobs, but a couple of moments in the game and we get punished.

"I think they only had one sight at our goal second half, that speaks volumes as to the way we played, but they took it. When you're up the top end of the table you take you chances and find ways to win games of football."

On a beautiful day for football Ismael Fatadjo started in place of Ben Fowkes for the Blues, in the only change from last weekend.

Leiston began well, winning a corner after just two minutes but the ‘Poppies’ cleared and went up the other end where Seb Dunbar did well to intercept Noel-Williams before Kyran Clements won a free kick.

The Blues then won two free kicks around the Kettering box, with Adam Mills’ effort blocked in the eighth minute leading to the away team breaking up field through Andi Thanoj on their right flank but Eddie Jackson got across to make a good challenge.

Albie Armin was booked on 16 minutes for the home side before Leiston had a great opportunity to take the lead on 25 minutes but Daniel Jezeph brilliantly saved from Loza and Fatadjo before Kettering somehow blocked the ball on the line.

On the half hour, George Quantrell cut inside from Leiston’s right but his left-footed shot was straight at Jezeph and, four minutes later, Dunbar and Fatadjo combined to set up Mills but his shot was saved again by Jezeph.

The game turned on 42 minutes. Leiston, who looked comfortable at the time, conceded possession and Johnson miskicked the ball to Noel-Williams who made no mistake to put the ball into an empty net to put the away side in the lead at the break.

Leiston had a great chance to level on 50 minutes when Loza was put through by Mills but Jezeph once again made a good save, to deny the Blues player, with shouts for a penalty turned down by the referee.

Fatadjo and Armin combined well on 58 minutes to win a free kick on the edge of the Kettering box but Fatadjo’s effort was blocked.

Blues then won a penalty, but Jezeph again did well, sprawling to his right to make the save from Loza.

The Blues were spurning opportunities and Kettering were buoyed, Devon Kelly-Evans hitting Johnson’s right-hand post on 76 minutes, Noel-Williams following up to double the visitors' lead.

The home side fought until the end and Dunbar went narrowly wide on 82 minutes, while sub Fowkes shot at Jezeph in the 85th minute.

FT: Blues 0 Kettering Town 2

PHOTO ALBUM FROM THE GAME

How the sides lined up;

Blues: Johnson, Yun (Rayworth 69 mins), Dunbar, Armin (Fowkes 69 mins), Clements, Eddie Jackson, Alexander, Fatadjo (Hill 79 mins), Quantrell, Loza, Mills. Subs not used: Saunders and Ryan Jarvis.

Kettering Town: Jezeph, Hart, Powell, Kelly-Evans, Johnson, Gudger, Thanoj, Ranger (McLintock 61 mins), Noel-Williams, Wilson (Storer 77 mins), Fifield (Pennant 56 mins). Subs not used: White and Edwards.

Match Sponsors Tony Brown Funeral Services, Man Of The Match: Adam Mills

Attendance: 310