ALBIE Armin’s superb late volley earned Leiston a deserved point as the Blues ended their home Southern League Premier Division Central campaign with a draw with high-flying Spalding Unitedwrites Craig Cooper.

Armin was on hand in the 95th-minute to net as the Blues again showed their never-say-die attitude in front of their highest crowd of the season.

Leiston had gone ahead in the final minute of the first half, Jude Frostick heading home well from a Joao Rangel cross. But Spalding showed exactly why they are already guaranteed a play-off spot as Jack Roberts and Abduramane Sani put the visitors ahead with just eight minutes to go.

However, Armin's first goal since returning to the Blues on loan from Aveley, sent the large crowd home happy.

The Blues were unchanged for the match, as Chris Wigger kept the same side that won at Real Bedford on Tuesday night. Kyle Callan-McFadden and Wyatt Hill came back into the squad.

Bart Cybulski’s third minute effort on goal was well blocked by Eddie Jackson before Adam Mills shot was blocked a minute later for Leiston. On five minutes, Yusifu Ceesay was put through on goal but Billy Johnson was equal to the striker’s effort.

Fraser Alexander, playing his 100th game for the club, delivered from the Blues right but it went out of play on nine minutes before captain Seb Dunbar’s free kick in the 12th minute was floated into the box but no one could get on the end of it.

The half started to become scrappy and both defences were well on top. Frostick had a free kick blocked away for a corner after Ronnie Blois did well to draw a foul.

Five minutes before the interval, Mills’ long throw in was nearly met by Rangel at the far post while Johnson made a good save to thwart Ceesay.

With three minutes of added time at the end of the half, Frostick headed home from six yards to give Leiston the lead after Rangel turned well on the right to deliver the ball into the centre. It was the midfielder's second goal of the season.

Johnson saved an early effort in the first few moments of the second period before taking a cross from close range a minute later. On 55 minutes, Spalding levelled when Roberts shot home in the box after a well directed pass.

Substitute Abduramane Sani made an instant impact, coming on to head past Johnson from close range, which looked like to have given the away side the points.

However, Leiston forced some late pressure and with Spalding not clearing their lines, Armin shot home with his left foot past Dan Wilks to claim a late point and send the big crowd home happy.

FT: Blues 2 Spalding United 2

Chris Wigger’s team now head to Worcestershire next Saturday for their final game of the season when they face Alvechurch.

Line-ups;

Blues: Johnson, Dunbar, Jackson, Rangel, Alexander, Blois, Mills, Batho, Frostick (Manly 85 mins), Clemons (Callan-McFadden 62 mins), Armin. Subs not used: Hill and Jarvis.

Spalding United: Wilks, Fox, Taroni (Sembie-Ferris 54 mins), Moore, Johnson, Thompson, Roberts, Bendle (Sani 54 mins), Cybulski, Pugh, Ceesay (Fowkes 81 mins). Subs not used: Akanbi and McCammon.

Blues Man Of The Match, selected by Corporate Match Sponsors, Flannery Plant Hire: Joao Rangel

Attendance: 533