LEISTON were dealt a 94th-minute heartbreak blow as Bury Town came out on top in a seven-goal thriller at Ram Meadow on Monday afternoon, writes Craig Cooper.

The Blues had twice fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to go into the final seconds level at 3-3. But former Ipswich Town and New Zealand World Cup defender, Tommy Smith, netted the winner - and his hat-trick goal, to sink Leiston hearts.

Jamie McGrath and Smith had put the home side two-up early on, before Adam Mills netted twice to bring parity to the scoreline at the interval.

Smith put Bury ahead once more before Willie Clemons seemingly rescued Leiston a point with a thunderbolt strike six minutes from time.

However, it wasn't to be as, in front of a 1,000 plus crowd, Smith sent the home fans wild with delight and send the Blues home pointless.

Leiston made one change from Saturday’s 3-1 win at home to Redditch United as Kyle Callan-McFadden returned to the starting XI to replace Ben Batho.

Bury Town had former Blue Charlie Beckwith in goal while another former Leiston man, George Quantrell, started in midfield. Sam Ford, who also had a spell at Leiston, began on the bench.

Seb Dunbar cleared away an early cross on two minutes before a shot was straight at Callum Robinson in the Blues goal.

A minute later, and the Blues first real venture into the Bury Town half saw Harvey Sayer get into the Bury Town box but shoot well wide of Beckwith’s left hand post.

But Bury took the lead in the 6th minute. A move deep into the Leiston half saw a ball swept into the path of McGrath and the striker shot into Robinson’s bottom right hand corner.

The Blues won a corner on 10 minutes but Fraser Alexander’s curling delivery was headed away and Bury cleared their lines. Noel Aitkens then headed away to crosses into the Leiston penalty box, one being a corner, but Bury doubled their lead a minute later.

After conceding a free kick five yards outside their own box, the Blues saw Smith head home and finish off a move to put them in the driving seat.

Eddie Jackson them saw a header go wide before two consecutive corners by Leiston were dealt with by the hosts.

Good play by Quantrell and Max Maughn allowed McGrath to be set up who hit the bar before Bailey Clements’ follow up was well blocked.

Robinson then did well to save a shot for Leiston before captain Dunbar’s long pass found Mills and the Blues player saw Beckwith off his line and lobbed the home keeper to reduce the deficit on 31 minutes.

Two minutes later, and Dunbar again found Mills whose attempt was blocked before Alexander’s strike was also well charged down.

But the Blues levelled on 35 minutes after a free kick was half cleared to Mills who’s shot took a slight deflection to wrongfoot Beckwith and the ball eventually went over the line for the midfielder’s sixth goal of the campaign, as Leiston made it 2-2.

Robinson did well to save a header and get the loose ball moments after the restart while McGrath had an acrobatic effort over and Sayer shot over for the Blues before the half was out.

Leiston started well after the break and sprayed the ball around well. After winning a free kick, Sayer’s ball was met by Mills whose header went just wide of Beckwith’s post. Wyatt Hill made a good last ditch challenge for the Blues at the other end three minutes later while the ball fell to Maughn but the player’s strike went over Robinson’s bar.

After a Bury Town strike was deflected over the bar, the regained the lead on 59 minutes when Smith beat Robinson to the ball to nod home for his second and Bury Town’s third.

Both teams started to introduce substitutes to try and effect the game for both sides. Ethan Mayhew shot over halfway through the half while Mills’ cross from Leiston’s left was headed away again well by Smith in the Bury Town defence.

Leiston had a good opportunity on 77 minutes but sub Jude Frostick’s shot was well blocked after good play by Sayer.

But Leiston kept plugging away and got their rewards on 84 minutes. A good move into the box was met by Clemons who brilliantly shot home via the crossbar and level the scores once again.

Leiston then won a couple of free kicks around the Bury Town penalty box but Bury defended them as the visitors looked for a fourth.

With time so nearly up, Ryan Jarvis cleared a ball into the box but the ball was controlled by Tommy Hughes whose cross was met by Smith and he headed home to the joy of the home faithful and the despair of Leiston and their fans.

FT: Bury Town 4 Leiston 3

The Blues now turn their attentions to Saturday when they head to Essex in the Emirates FA Cup to play Grays Athletic at the home of Tilbury in the First Round Qualifying.

Line-ups;
Bury Town: Beckwith, White, Carroll, Smith, Maughn, Hughes, Canfer (Conway 84 mins), Quantrell, Clements, Mayhew (Chambers 84 mins), McGrath (Ford 62 mins). Subs not used: Flowers and O’Malley.
Blues: Robinson, Hill (Batho 66 mins), Dunbar (Jarvis 89 mins), Callan-McFadden, Aitkens (Frostick 75 mins), Jackson, Henman (Marriott 69 mins), Alexander, Sayer (Rayworth 81 mins), Mills, Clemons.

Blues Man Of The Match: Adam Mills
Attendance: 1,067