LEISTON picked up another point in their pursuit of the play-offs, but it was a frustrating afternoon for Blues fans as Stratford Town left the Flannery Stadium with a point as well, in a 1-1 draw, writes Craig Cooper.

After a goalless first half, Eddie Jackson put the Blues ahead on 56 minutes from close range but Lewis Ison scored a spectacular equaliser just eight minutes later to level the scores.

Despite constant home pressure in the second period, with Adam Mills hitting the post, Stratford couldn't be broken down.

It was Leiston's fifth home league draw on the bounce and 13th overall in the Southern League Premier Division Central. The Blues head to Stamford next weekend.

Chris Wigger was without Harvey Sayer (broken wrist) and Ronnie Blois, so in came Kyle Callan-McFadden and Ryan Jarvis to the starting XI, , while Liam Shaw and Jude Frostick came back into the 16.

The first half was starved of any real chances but, after showing good skill on 18 minutes, Joao Rangel fell awkwardly and dislocated his finger, but the midfielder carried on.

In the 25th minute, Jackson and then Jarvis, did well to head balls away into the area with Henry Landers then firing over just outside the penalty area.

Just before the half hour, Finlay Brennan did well on the visitors left but his cross went out of play. In the 33rd minute, Willie Clemons’ arriving free kick was taken down by Jarvis but the midfielder’s effort was well blocked.

Stratford were putting some good balls into the Blues penalty area at the other end. In the final chance of note in the half, Stratford won a corner and Wyatt Hill had to make a good block late in the half from Kory Roberts to keep the scores level.

Early in the second half, Adam Mills hit Jake Weaver’s right-hand post as he dinked the ball past the 'keeper, while Rangel shot over on the edge of the box in the first ten minutes.

But the deadlock was broken 11 minutes into the second half, Jackson putting Leiston ahead when he shot home from close range after Jack Manly’s cross evaded Weaver and all other Stratford defenders.

But the lead was short-lived. Lewis Ison levelled on 64 minutes, volleying home spectacularly, with the ball going in off the underside of Billy Johnson’s crossbar, after the Blues failed to clear an away team attack.

Clemons had a goal disallowed on 69 minutes after being adjudged offside while Jarvis nearly chipped Weaver while on 73 minutes, after a dangerous ball into the box from Joao Rangel.

Late on, home captain Seb Dunbar crossed from the Blues left and no one could prod home before Weaver saved Manly’s shot well.

Leiston couldn’t force a winner in four minutes of stoppage time as both teams settled for a point.

FT: Blues 1 Stratford Town 1

Leiston are on their travels next weekend when they visit Stamford.

Line-ups;
Blues: - Johnson, Hill (Rayworth 88 mins), Dunbar, Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Rangel, Alexander, Manly, Mills, Clemons, Jarvis. Subs not used: Batho, Frostick, Shaw and Mehew.

Stratford Town: Weaver, Vann, Brennan, Hawker, Roberts, Landers (James 62 mins), Ison, Lafferty, McCone, Toluwaloj (Wragg 76 mins), Reilly (Sammons 83 mins). Subs not used: Olofinjana and Lott.

Match Sponsors, MGB GAS SERVICES Man of the Match: Wyatt Hill

Attendance: 150