Leiston produced a fine second half fight back to ensure they are in tomorrow’s draw after trailing by two goals at the interval. Gareth Heath’s late leveller earning the Blues a midweek replay at Leighton Town. The Blues were missing Patrick Brothers, Tom Bullard, Josh Mayhew and Craig Parker but did welcome back Leon Ottley-Gooch on the bench with the returning Rhys Henry in the starting line up. The game kicked off in fine autumnal conditions and had an explosive start. Joe Francis left wing cross was missed by Tom Winter and then Rhys Henry in the opening seconds. But then Southern League Central Leighton Town stunned their hosts by going straight down the other end to grab a 25 second opener. Left winger Phil Draycott capitalised on Blake Saker’s weak clearance to fire an early shot across the despairing dive of Danny Gay to shock their hosts. Leighton looked comfortable in possession in the opening minutes but then the game then had its first major talking point on 14 minutes as Alvin Rajaram brought down Joe Francis as he raced clear at goal near the edge of the visitors box. After lengthy discussions with his Assistant and despite the Leighton full back being the last defender strangely he only received a yellow card. From the resulting free kick Stuart Boardley saw his effort clawed away by Dan Green at full stretch. It got worse for Leiston on 24 minutes as following a fine save from Danny Gay to deny Phil Draycott’s free kick, the winger then delivered the resulting corner for the unmarked Tyrone Taylor to head home. Conor Hubble and then Leighton skipper Robbie Goodman went into the Referee’s book that would see a busy afternoon for the man in the middle with seven yellow cards being flashed. Leiston struggled to find any concerted pressure with the visitors asking all the questions in the final third, Danny Watson firing a volley just wide and then Danny Gay did well to save Chris Crook’s deflected effort from distance. The half ended with the hosts almost reducing the arrears. Dan Green called for the ball but Chris Crook sliced clearance fell to Joe Francis but with Green stranded Francis saw his 40 yard effort land on the roof of the net.

Leiston resumed after the interval in determined fashion and the half was just seven minutes old when Dan Green thwarted the Blues again. Stuart Boardley’s corner found its way out to Joe Francis on the edge of the box and his quick turn and half volley had Green at full stretch to turn it away. Tom Winter then did well to challenge Chris Crook inside the box with the ball falling invitingly to Joe Francis who fired wide of the goal. Despite the early pressure Leiston had to be aware of the visitor’s threat and only a timely block from Joe Jefford denied Danny Watson as he raced up field onto a long clearance. With 63 minutes gone Leiston finally got a life line. Blake Saker’s cross was handled on the edge of the box by Chris Crook and from Conor Hubble’s free kick Dan Green spilled allowing the alert Scott Mitchell to poach from close in. Another flashpoint arrived twenty minutes from time following a heavy challenge with more cards brandished after play was held up as the officials tried to defuse the situation. Leiston continued to press almost camped in the Leighton half and on 78 minutes they drew level. Joe Francis skipped into the box and to the by-line before pulling the ball back for Gareth Heath who showed great composure and neat footwork before firing low into the net his eleventh goal of the season. Danny Gay then saved from Phil Draycott before Leon Ottley-Gooch sent a fine first time volley from Blake Saker’s pass just inches over the bar with minutes remaining. This was the last real action so the sides will have to do it all again on Tuesday evening.

FT – Blues 2 Leighton Town 2

Blues line up – Gay, Saker, Boardley, Mitchell, Jefford, Tann, Henry (Ottley-Gooch 58 mins), Heath, Winter, Hubble, Francis. Subs not used – Merritt, Noy, Block and Rossis.

Goals – Mitchell 63 mins, Heath 78 mins (Leiston). Draycott 1 min, Taylor 24 mins (Leighton Town)

Yellow cards – Hubble, Mitchell, Francis, Jefford (Leiston). Rajaram, Goodman, Watson (Leighton Town)

Man of the Match – Conor Hubble

Attendance - 166