Goals from Ronnie Blois, Adam Mills and an own goal from home captain Adam Murray secured three important points as the Blues moved up to seventh in the Southern League Premier Central Division table.

Blois came into the starting XI to replace Jack Manly, who took his place on the bench. Stan Horne came into the 16 also, taking Joe McNeil’s place.

Seb Dunbar did well to block a shot just outside the box after just five minutes before Jordan Frederick’s strike was well pushed over the bar by Billy Johnson.

A minute later though, and Leiston took the lead. Good work by Ben Fowkes on the Blues right enabled the player to get past his marker and put in a measured ball that saw Blois time his run to guide the ball into Jamie Head’s bottom corner.

For a few minutes afterwards, Leiston had a lot of the ball but didn’t really threaten in front of goal. On 19 minutes, Johnson fumbled a cross, with the ball out to the back post but Kyle Callan-McFadden was on hand to head away.

A minute later, and Eddie Jackson blocked an effort before the Blues broke upfield and this time Adam Mills crossed from the left and Jude Frostick’s header was cleared off the line.

Blois tried his luck with a shot shortly after but Head was positioned well to save. Archie Locke then shot into Johnson’s side netting on 27 minutes before Ryan Jarvis was booked for a foul.

Late in the half, defences were on top, while in the third minute of stoppage time, Dunbar made a good challenge in the box as the half came to an end.

Wyatt Hill headed behind a dangerous Harvey Beckett cross early in the second half. From the corner, Leiston made a quick counter which saw Mills get in on goal but Head made two good saves from the Blues player before the loose ball broke to Frostick but the midfielder’s effort was again cleared away on the goal line.

Fowkes and Blois went close but Mills made it two on 55 minutes when he controlled Fraser Alexander’s corner and smashed the ball home into the roof of Head’s net.

Luke Warner-Eley shot wide of Johnson’s upright just before the hour inside the box and Royston then put a bit of pressure on Leiston, forcing some corners. This pressure paid off on 65 minutes when a deflected shot fell into the path of Locke who slipped the ball past Johnson from six yards.

Leiston had a great chance on 74 minutes but Frostick’s attempt went just wide of Head’s right hand post after more good work by Fowkes.

Fowkes and Mills were causing Royston all sorts of problems and after a couple of more half chances went by, the Blues made the points safe on 83 minutes when Mills’ teasing ball into the area was put into his own net by home captain Murray.

From then on, Leiston defended well, with Johnson coming for a couple of crosses in a crowded penalty area, and the Blues were good value for their 3-1 win.

FT: Royston Town 1 Leiston 3

After four games away in all competitions away, the Blues host Barwell in league action on Saturday.

Line-ups;

Royston Town: Head, Brighton (Ciuffa 82 mins), Thomas, Murray, Locke, Beckett (Akubuine 68 mins), Harness, Matthews (Newman 74 mins), Warner-Eley (Avgoustidis 68 mins), Frederick, Boorn (Maguranyanga 74 mins).

Blues: Johnson, Hill, Dunbar, Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Alexander, Blois, Mills, Jarvis (Manly 83 mins), Fowkes (Horne 90+4 mins). Subs not used: Rayworth, Parlett and Mehew

Blues Man Of The Match: Adam Mills

Attendance: 217