RONNIE Blois struck late into added-on time as Leiston grabbed a deserved 2-2 draw with Barwell at the Flannery Stadium on Saturday, writes Craig Cooper.

Blois was at the back post to head home Cameron Rayworth’s superb cross in the dying seconds to rescue a point Leiston thoroughly deserved as they came back from two-down in a stirring second-half performance that thrilled the home crowd.

Barwell had taken a two-goal lead in the first half after a strong first 45, Freddie Cook (13) and Zayn Hakeem (32) their scorers.

But when Jack Manly curled in a 30-yard free kick on 68 minutes, Leiston were back in the game, and Blois’ effort saw them gain their reward.

The only change to the starting eleven from Tuesday night’s win at Royston Town saw Joao Rangel start in place of Adam Mills, who was suspended, after accumulating five yellow cards this season. Willie Clemons came onto the Blues bench in place of Stan Horne, who was playing for the Blues U23s.

Barwell started the game on the front foot and Wyatt Hill and Kyle Callan-McFadden did well to clear two early crosses.

A minute later at the other end, Ben Fowkes got into the Barwell box but the Blues players effort was straight at Finn Osborn.

The Leicestershire side took the lead on 13 minutes when they won a corner and the ball into the box was headed home by Freddie Cook.

Halfway through the half, Fraser Alexander’s shot on the edge of the box was well blocked. Hakeem headed over from close range but the same player doubled the visitors lead on 32 minutes when he pounced on a mistake in the home defence to shoot past Billy Johnson.

Leiston had Johnson to thank 30 seconds into the second period as he denied Hakeem and this seemed to change the game.

Reuben Wyatt shot at Johnson in the area on 55 minutes while on 64 minutes, the same player jinxed into the box but blazed his attempt over the crossbar this time.

Chances were hard to come by for both sides for a while, but on 68 minutes, Blues sub Manly brilliantly curled home a free kick into Finn Osborn’s top right hand corner to reduce Barwell’s advantage. A goal that buoyed the Blues who were beginning to get a grip of the game.

Four minutes later, Manly shot just wide from another free kick in the exact same position, before Leiston came at Barwell again and Osborn palmed away Fowkes’ strong strike.

Leiston had another couple of good half-chances as the clocked ticked into added-on time and in the 94th minute, Rayworth delivered a fine cross to Blois who headed past Osborn to save a point for the Suffolk club and send the home fans home delighted.

FT: Blues 2 Barwell 2

Chris Wigger’s team host AFC Sudbury in league action on Tuesday evening at the Flannery Stadium.

Line-ups;

Blues: Johnson, Hill (Rayworth 65 mins), Dunbar, Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Rangel, Alexander, Blois, Frostick (Manly 65 mins), Jarvis (Clemons 46 mins), Fowkes. Subs not used: Mehew and Parlett.

Barwell: Osborn, McDonald (Frances 90 mins), Grewal-Pollard, Cook, Atcha, Mancinelli, Dowd (Richards 84 mins), Hill, Wyatt, Hakeem (Tomlinson 86 mins), Dwyer (Waite 79 mins). Sub not used: Seaton.

Match Sponsor, Brudenell Aldeburgh, Man Of The Match: Kyle Callan-McFadden

Attendance: 237