JOE McNeil scored a spectacular late goal as the Blues made it six points out of six over the Bank Holiday weekend after victory at Needham Market on Monday, writes Craig Cooper.

McNeil, who had come on as a 63rd-minute substitute, was on hand to scissor-kick Adam Mills' cross home to give the Blues a 2-1 lead they were not set to relinquish as Leiston picked up the local derby bragging rights at Bloomfields. It was McNeil's first goal for the first team.

The Blues had earlier taken the lead when Ronnie Blois, netting his first goal for the Blues, was the right man in the right place to side-foot home after nine minutes after good work from captain Seb Dunbar.

That was before Luke Ingram bundled home Needham's equaliser on 35 minutes, before McNeil struck late.

Jude Frostick came into the Blues starting XI replacing Ryan Jarvis, who dropped out of the squad as Willie Clemons took his place in the 16.

Both teams struggled to find their stride early on, with defences sniffing out any attacking opportunities and play being in the middle of the park. However, it was Leiston who took the lead on nine minutes.

Joao Rangel picked up the ball on the Blues right, driving at the away defence, and picked out Mills who in turn found Dunbar who crossed into the middle for Blois to net from just six yards out, giving James Bradbrook in the home goal no chance.

Four minutes later and Dunbar’s cross was turned behind by Needham captain Dan Morphew, with Mills’ strike being blocked well from a corner. The hosts moved the ball up field quickly and Jamie McGrath shot just over Billy Johnson’s goal.

On 17 minutes, Johnson was out well to claim a ball over the Blues defence while in the 22nd minute, Frostick and Fraser Alexander linked up well, with the latter's cross headed over by Kyle Callan-McFadden.

Reggie Lambe’s free kick was easily held by Johnson on the edge of the box five minutes later after Jack Manly had given a foul away.

Leiston continued to defend well but on 35 minutes, Ingram bundled the ball over the line after Johnson had saved the initial effort from the Needham midfielder. In the lead up to the goal, Wyatt Hill pulled up and was then replaced by Ben Batho.

A minute into injury time and Lambe got behind the Blues defence but shot over the bar.

The home team started well in the second half. Johnson could only half save an attempt 40 seconds into the half from Tommy Smith after good play by Joe Neal, but beat Jngram to the loose ball.

Two minutes later, Kyle Hammond’s shot was well blocked by Dunbar, while on 51 minutes, McGrath met Ingram’s cross inside the Blues box but nodded straight at Johnson.

Dan Morphew was denied by a great Johnson stop to his left before Jake Dye hit the crossbar on 58 minutes.

After getting caught at the back three minutes later, captain Dunbar did excellently to get back and make a great sliding tackle in the penalty area.

Blois struck wide of Bradbrook’s left hand post after good play by sub Willie Clemons as both sides went for a winner, before McNeil’s delivery was taken by Bradbrook shortly after.

Mills shot over good work by Clemons on 74 minutes and Callan-McFadden headed at Bradbrook.

Eventually a winner did come and it was the Blues who got it on 84 minutes, with Mills again driving at the Needham defence on the Blues left and crossing for McNeil who brilliantly volleyed past Bradbrook and into the keeper’s right-hand corner.

Leiston stood firm in the final knockings of the game, as Needham strived for an equaliser. In the 95th minute Johnson punched away a corner form from the left before the referee signalled the end of the game

FT: Needham Market 1 Blues 2

Leiston now head to North London on Saturday as they visit Cheshunt in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying (3pm kick off).

Line-ups;

Needham Market: Bradbrook, Dye, Smith, Hammond, Dan Morphew, Ingram (Cowling 80 mins), Saunders (Tricker 89 mins), Neal (Miles 73 mins), McGrath, Hunter (Chambers 65 mins), Lambe. Sub not used: Barker.

Blues: Johnson, Hill (Batho 37 mins) Dunbar (Walsh 85 mins), Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Rangel (Fowkes 73 mins), Alexander, Blois (McNeil 63 mins), Manly (Clemons 55 mins), Mills.

Blues Man Of The Match: Seb Dunbar

Attendance: 669