Harborough arrived in Suffolk in good form and top of the Southern League Premier Division Central, but it was Chris Wigger’s side who took an early lead when Ryan Jarvis shot home from 20 yards in just the third minute.

The visitors from Leicestershire were back on level terms before the break, George Carline heading home at the back post from a free kick. And the same man put the Bees ahead with just 15 minutes to go with a goal similar to his first.

However, the Blues refused to lay down and produced a stirring last 20 minutes, culminating with Fowkes hammering home in the 92nd-minute, to give the home side a point their performance thoroughly merited, and sending the home fans home delighted.

Leiston were without Jack Manly and Kyle Callan-McFadden but Eddie Jackson came back into the defence while Ryan Jarvis took his place in midfield.

The away side had the first shot on goal, with Luis Rose testing Billy Johnson from distance but it was the Blues who would take the lead after three minutes. Jarvis shot home from the edge of the box, giving Elliot Taylor no chance in the away goal, after the Blues had built up some pressure, winning quick corners in quick succession.

Fowkes had a great chance to make it two after 15 minutes, but Taylor made an excellent save to his left.

Harborough levelled on 24 minutes when Carline headed home a free kick, with the ball finding Billy Johnson’s bottom left hand corner.

Before the half was out, Riley O’Sullivan shot wide of Johnson’s post twice and Johnson saved Carline’s shot in the area in the last action of the half.

The second half was a terrific affair, with the game ebbing and flowing at both ends. Joshua Walsh went close twice early on for Harborough, heading over a corner and then shooting just wide of Johnson’s upright when well-placed after a good move down Leiston’s left.

Cameron Rayworth, who had a super game, then ventured forward to see his effort deflected wide of Taylor’s right-hand post. At the other end on 53 minutes, away sub Ben Stephens attempted lob was pushed over superbly by Johnson, with the keeper getting back to flick the ball over his bar.

Jarvis was tackled by Taylor in the away goal after the keeper did well to avoid the Blues player to round him. Stephens and Dempsey Arlott-John were off targets in the Blues box while at the other end, Fowkes shot over.

Carline, though, again impressed at set-pieces to head home from eight yards on 75 minutes from a corner, but the Blues were not to give up.

Joao Rangel was denied by Taylor’s legs before Fowkes’ brilliant run and shot in the 92nd-minute gained a point.

There was no more chances in the remaining three minutes of normal time. The result keeps the Leicestershire club top while Leiston slip a place to 10th.

FT: Blues 2 Harborough Town 2

Leiston now turn their attention to St Ives Town who are the visitors to Suffolk on Tuesday night, 7.45pm kick off.

Line-ups:

Blues: Johnson, Rayworth, Dunbar, Jackson, Rangel, Alexander, Clemons, Mills (Keller 86 mins), Frostick (McNeil 88 mins), Jarvis (Hill 66 mins), Fowkes. Subs not used: Batho and Mehew.

Harborough Town: Elliot Taylor, Carline, James Taylor, Dolman, Walsh, Morris, Kelly-Evans, Rose (Stephens 46 mins), O’Sullivan (Burgess 70 mins), Newton (Malone 74 mins), Arlott-John (Hickey 78 mins). Sub not used: Kennedy.

Blues Man Of The Match, selected by Match Sponsors Victory Car Sales: Ben Fowkes and Cameron Rayworth.

Attendance: 172