The Blues went behind on 27 minutes when Brady Hickey put the Bees ahead. However, Willie Clemons' shot from distance brought the Blues level at the break and nine minutes into the second half, top scorer Ben Fowkes put Leiston ahead with a fine finish.

But the Bees came buzzing back and two goals in three minutes in the 68th and 71st-minutes from Ben Stephens and Riley O’Sullivan put the hosts back in the lead. A lead they were to hold onto until the end.

In front of a crowd of more than 500 the Blues defended well from early home pressure, before Adam Mills shot wide of Elliott Taylor’s goal.

Harborough continued to push forward, Eliot Putman shooting wide of Billy Johnson’s post in the 21st minute.

But the pressure paid off as Hickey put the home side ahead on 27 minutes, before Leiston hit back just four minutes later.

Clemons picked up the ball and hit a ferocious shot that took a deflection and looped over Taylor to restore parity.

It was a quiet start to the second half with Leiston looking comfortable.

And indeed, it was the Blues who took the lead for the first time in the match on 54 minutes when Mills ran through, playing the ball out to Fowkes. He still had plenty to do but cut in nicely and slotted the ball past Taylor.

Leiston deserved their lead. However, the home team kept pushing and two goals in three minutes sealed the visitors’ fate.

Stephens vollied home well in the 68th-minute, before substitute O’Sullivan slotted home from close-range three minutes later to seal the points for the promotion-chasing Bees.

Full-time: Harborough 3 Leiston 2

How they lined up;
Harborough: Taylor, Carline, Putman, Dolman, Walsh, Morris, Kelly-Evans, Hickey, Stephens, Kamara, Pennant. Subs: Malone, McAuley, Moran, O’Sullivan and Rose.

Blues: Johnson, Dunbar, Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Alexander, Blois (Rangel 73), Mills Rayworth, Frostick (Manly 79), Clemons, Fowkes. Unused subs: Hill, Batho and Jarvis.

Blues Man of the Match: Willie Clemons

Attendance: 533