LEISTON slipped to their first defeat in seven league games as relegation-threatened Stamford put a dent in the Blues’ play-off hopes, writes Craig Cooper.

Two first-half goals from Leon Lobjoit, who followed up his saved penalty by Blues ‘keeper Billy Johnson to net in the eighth minute, and Jack Keeble, who headed home in the 27th minute, proved enough for the home side.

It was a disappointing result for Chris Wigger’s team who slipped to 11th in the Southern League Premier Central table, on a day when they welcomed back Albie Armin, on a dual registration with Aveley, to the Blues squad.

Leiston now have back-to-back home games to look to rectify their outside play-off hopes, starting with Worcester City at the Flannery Stadium Victory next weekend.

Ronnie Blois came back into the starting eleven in place of Ryan Jarvis, who dropped to the bench, with Albie Armin coming into the sixteen to replace Marcus Mehew.

The home side started on the front foot and had a god chance after just two minutes.

Striker Leon Lobjoit got at the Blues defence and ventured into the box on Stamford’s left but Blues keeper Billy Johnson made an excellent save to his left to claw the ball away.

Just a minute later, and Johnson again did well to push away a header across the Leiston goal.

On four minutes, Lobjoit striked just over the bar for the hosts.

However, the Lincolnshire side would take the lead on eight minutes from the penalty spot. Blues captain Seb Dunbar was adjudged to have handled a ball in the box and Lobjoit put the ball into the net from the rebound, after Johnson had saved the penalty.

Adam Mills then had looked to have won Leiston a penalty at the other end but the referee waved away appeals.

Stamford had a great chance to make it two on 14 minutes but Connor Bartle shot over Johnson’s bar after hitting his effort into the ground before on 18 minutes, Eddie Jackson got back to clear an attempt on goal after Johnson had headed away a ball over the top.

In the 20th minute, Joao Rangel’s crossed from Leiston’s right after a good passing move but Stamford cleared for a corner. Jack Manly’s set piece was then headed behind for a consecutive corner.

The second goal came on 27 minutes when defender Jack Keeble headed home unmarked from a corner for Stamford.

The lively Leon Lobjoit then went off just after the half hour mark with an injury and the home team sat back and let the Blues have possession.

Joao Rangel fired in a shot on 34 minutes but Thomas Jackson saved his shot easily.

Three minutes later, and Rangel and Mills linked up well to allow Dunbar to burst into the box but the Leiston player could only shoot over the bar.

The last chance of note in the half saw Kai Sanchez-Tongue get at the Leiston defence but he shot over the bar.

Leiston won a corner five minutes after the interval, with Rangel’s ball turned behind for a corner but Manly’s corner was punched away by Jackson.

Mills put in a decent ball on 56 minutes but again, Stamford defended it well.

At the other end, Kyle Callan-McFadden made a good block on 64 minutes for the Blues while Manly’s shot was blocked soon after for Leiston.

Albie Armin made a good tackle in Leiston’s box on 69 minutes while Willie Clemons had a good chance to pull a goal back on 71 minutes but he could only shot tamely at Jackson from Mills’ cross.

The wind picked up late on and both teams struggled to adjust to the conditions.

Leiston couldn’t get a shot away in a goal mouth scramble in five minutes of injury time as the referee blew for full time after five minutes of stoppage time.

FT: Stamford 2 Blues 0

Leiston now host two successive home games, starting with Worcester City next Saturday.

Line-ups;

Stamford: Thomas Jackson, Keeble, Wilson, Hobbins, Cooke, Oran Jackson, Marazano (Frew 73 mins), Duffy, Sanchez-Tonge, Lobjoit (Armstrong 32 mins), Bartle (Cashmore 78 mins). Subs not used: Cavallo and Challinor.

Blues: Johnson, Hill (Armin 62 mins), Dunbar, Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Rangel, Alexander, Blois, Manly (Rayworth 76 mins), Mills, Clemons. Subs not used: Batho, Frostick and Jarvis.

Blues Man Of The Match: Kyle Callan-McFadden

Attendance: 321