LEISTON lost their unbeaten home league record to visitors AFC Telford United who went into an early two goal lead and then defended well to keep Leiston out.

It proved a frustrating match for the Blues who enjoyed plenty of possession, especially second half, but couldn't create the clear-cut openings to get them back into the match after the Shropshire side netted twice in the opening half hour after a brisk opening from them.

Blues boss Chris Wigger spoke after the game: "It was a really poor first half from us," he said.

"Not nearly enough quality with our passing, our application. I just think I haven't seen us start that poorly in a very long time.

"You can't allow that against one of the top sides in this league. They are an experienced group with some excellent players. We left ourselves an uphill battle.

"As much as we had a decent second-half with plenty of possession, we just couldn't get that goal."

Ryan Jarvis and Ismael Fatadjo came back into the starting XI for Harley Curtis and Albie Armin, who dropped to the bench after starting on Tuesday night at home to Lowestoft Town.

It was a still and cloudy afternoon and perfect for football with plenty of Telford fans in the crowd who had made the long journey east.

Matthew Stenson went close after just two minutes for Telford but his header went just wide of Billy Johnson’s left-hand post but the away side took the lead in six minutes when Remi Walker got at Leiston down the Blues left and crossed into the box for Stenson who netted from close range.

Three minutes later, Rossi Jarvis made a great block to dent Walker as the visitors started well, while Leiston had their first effort on goal on 18 minutes but George Quantrell’s shot was blocked. 

Telford made it two in the 24th minute. Ricardo Dinanga controlled an aerial ball well up front and made no mistake to slot the ball under Johnson’s legs to double their lead. 

Leiston had two good chances just before the half hour mark to get themselves back into the game, but Jamar Loza and Kyran Clements had their efforts again well blocked. 

Leiston looked as though they may get a goal back late in the half, Loza was denied by a great Brandon Hall save inside the six-yard area while Dinanga was off target with a shot in the last chance of the half. 

Johnson pushed away a free kick from Walker early in the second half as Telford limited Leiston chances. Byron Moore saw an effort blocked by Saunders halfway through the half while sub Cameron Rayworth put in two deliveries from the Blues right but they were well defended. 

Fatadjo did have a chance to pull a goal back but his effort went agonisingly wide of Hall’s right-hand post as Leiston's pressure started to build, but there was proving no end product. Quantrell and Fatadjo again went close late on but Telford were organised and solid and went back to Shropshire with the points. 

FT: - Blues 0-2 AFC Telford United.

Leiston have no game next weekend, and next play on Saturday 14th December when Stourbridge visit Suffolk (3pm kick off).

PHOTOS FROM THE GAME...

Line-ups: -
Blues: - Johnson, Yun, Saunders, Rossi Jarvis, Clements (sub Rayworth 55 mins), Ryan Jarvis (sub Armin 62 mins), Fatadjo, Alexander, Fowkes (sub Curtis 77 mins), Quantrell, Loza. Subs not used: - Mitchell Jackson, Oldman.
AFC Telford United: - Hall, Piggott, Cranston, Storer (sub Armson 64 mins), Pendley, Whittall, Walker, Stenson (sub Styche 73 mins), Dinanga, Kruszynski, Moore. Subs not used: - Hilton, Gudger, Brown.

Attendance: - 162.
Match sponsors' CN Plumbing and Heating Man Of The Match: - Ismael Fatadjo.