JAMAR Loza scored his 12th goal of the season as Leiston secured a deserved point against second-placed Stamford, and in the process made it four league games unbeaten, five in all competitions.

Loza netted from the penalty spot in the first half - his fourth penalty of the season and his fourth goal in four games - to put the Blues ahead, but Stamford equalised in the second period, Tendai Chitiza cutting in and firing a fine shot into the top corner of Billy Johnson's net.

It was a fair result on an afternoon of good football, with both sides entertaining the crowd.

Rossi Jarvis, Kyran Clements, Fraser Alexander, George Quantrell and Loza all came back into the starting XI for Leiston, with Ollie Yun, Albie Armin, Jack Manly and Harley Curtis dropping to the substitutes bench. Ben Batho, who started Tuesday night’s game at Bury Town FC, has gone out on loan to Ipswich Wanderers FC for a month’s loan.

On a mild afternoon, Rossi Jarvis cleared away an early ball into the box in the third minute before George Quantrell shot wide eon the sixth minute. Ben Fowkes tested Thomas Jackson from the edge of the box three minutes later, with the striker forcing the away custodian to make a good parry down to his left on the edge of the area. Chitiza tested Johnson on 17 minutes with a close range header, but didn’t get enough on his effort.

The Blues took the lead on 20 minutes when Ollie Saunders was fouled in the area after a delivery from the Blues right hand side and Loza duly dispatched the penalty past Jackson, into the goalkeeper’s bottom right-hand corner.

Just before the half hour mark, Johnson made a good save from Richard Gregory from a free kick down to his right before the Blues eventually got the ball away from goal. Ashton Offler was off target with a header on 36 minutes as he beat the Blues defenders to the ball after a long throw in. A couple of minutes later, Fowkes drove into the area to force a corner but Stamford dealt with the ball into the area in the final action of note in the half.

The second half began with Joe Burgess going close for Stamford, while Offler again went close on 51 minutes.

Moments later, Leiston won the ball in midfield through Quantrell and he released Loza inside the box but Jackson was out to meet it before the player could get there. Fowkes dragged his effort wide in the 58th minute and Stamford levelled when Chitiza brilliantly cut in from the left and fired into Johnson’s top right hand corner on 66 minutes.

Johnson had to make a good save when play restarted and Rossi Jarvis was off target from close range from a corner as the game ticked into the last few minutes. Late on, Stamford forced three corners in stoppage time but Leiston defended well with both sides worthy of a point.

FT: - Blues 1-1 Stamford

The Blues now have a midweek off as they can look forward to another home game next Saturday when they host Bromsgrove Sporting.

Line-ups: -
Blues: - Johnson, Hill (sub Yun 87 mins), Saunders, Rossi Jarvis, Clements, Eddie Jackson, Fatadjo (sub Armin 66 mins), Alexander, Fowkes (sub Curtis 78 mins), Quantrell, Loza. Sub not used: - Manly.
Stamford: - Taylor, Marzano (sub Duffy 61 mins), Bennett (sub Hobbins 79 mins), Offler, Cooke, Blunden (sub Bartle 42, sub Challinor 90+1 mins), Chitiza, Morgan, Gregory (sub Liversidge 75 mins), Shaw, Burgess.

Match Sponsors, Whip Street Motors, Man Of The Match: - Fraser Alexander.
Attendance: - 251.