In difficult conditions, the Blues acquitted themselves well throughout and deservedly took the lead through Ismael Fatadjo in the 37th minute. It could have been more for the visitors from Suffolk, but chances went begging.

And it was the home side who netted a 78th-minute leveller meaning both sides had to settle for a point, Royston remaining eighth and Leiston ninth in the Southern League Premier Central table.

It means Leiston took seven points out of a possible 12 over the Christmas and New Year period, with two wins, a draw and one defeat. They now enjoy back-to-back home games, starting with high-flying Stratford Town the visitors to the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium on Saturday.

George Quantrell was again missing for Leiston with illness at Royston, but Chris Wigger did welcome Fraser Alexander back into the starting line-up after he missed the 0-4 defeat at Harborough Town on Saturday. Club captain Seb Dunbar was again on the bench as he continues his return from injury, and he spoke after the game.

“It was a really good performance,” Dunbar said. “First half I thought we did very well the conditions were crazy, wind, rain, the pitch was so boggy.

“But we managed the game well, took the lead. It was a good goal, and we were playing some nice stuff in the final third, opening them up a bit.”

And Dunbar admitted that on a personal note, it’s good to be back, “I’ve been doing a lot of work to get back fit,” he added, “I’m happy to fight for my place back in the side, I’m buzzing to be back.”

There was a healthy crowd of almost 300 at Garden Walk on a filthy day for football and with a heavy pitch. However, it was Leiston who started well.

Ben Fowkes got into the box after just 60 seconds for the Blues, and crossed into the box but Royston cleared his dangerous ball.

In the fourth minute, Leiston had to defend a corner from Royston before two minutes later, Fraser Alexander had two corners, the second of which was met by Eddie Jackson but Tommy Dixon-Hodge saved.

On nine minutes, Dixon-Hodge took Alexander’s curling cross that no Leiston player could get on the end of. Good team play by Loza and Fowkes two minutes later saw the ball worked into the feet of Albie Armin, but the Blues player shot over Dixon-Hodge’s crossbar.

Leiston came forward again on 25 minutes when Ollie Saunders found Loza and he got into the home box but he couldn’t get his shot away. Just before the half hour mark, Harrison Rookard did well on the hosts left but his cross was well claimed by Billy Johnson.

Leiston took the lead on 37 minutes when Fowkes had a good run on the Blues right to pass the ball to Fatadjo and the midfielder brilliantly curled the ball into Dixon-Hodge’s bottom right-hand corner.

Clements and Armin had chances to extend the Blues lead before the break while Rossi Jarvis headed away a cross and Johnson made a save in additional time as the first half came to an end.

Early in the second half, Seb Dunbar replaced Ollie Saunders at left back while Rossi Jarvis made a good block a minute into the second half.

The Blues nearly doubled their lead on 56 minutes but Dixon-Hodge made a great save to his right to thwart Loza after Fatadjo had played the ball through. Dixon-Hodge punched away a corner and Alexander’s resultant delivery nearly found the net on 62 minutes.

Leiston were playing some lovely football in hard conditions but they couldn't get what may well have proved a killer second goal.

Royston shot well wide as the game reached the last 20 minutes after Johnson was off his line on 77 minutes. Then the hosts levelled a minute later when a move on the Royston left allowed Harness to get into the box and shoot home off Johnson’s left-hand post.

Clements nearly got on the end of a cross from Fowkes with five minutes to go and although both sides put balls into the box late on, a winner didn’t come for either team.

FT: Royston Town 1 Blues 1

Leiston entertain Stratford Town at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium on Saturday.

Line-ups;

Royston Town: Dixon-Hodge, Asafu-Adjaye, Brighton, Coldicott-Stevens, Beckett, Baker (Dawodu 59 mins), Weyman, Rookard (Toiny-Pendred 75 mins), Akubuine Harness, Locke (Anyadike 59 mins). Subs not used: Lievins and Hamilton-Campbell.

Blues: Johnson, Hill, Saunders (Dunbar 45 mins), Rossi Jarvis, Clements, Eddie Jackson (Yun 89 mins), Fatadjo (Curtis 89 mins), Alexander, Fowkes, Armin, Loza. Subs not used: Batho and Ryan Jarvis.

Blues Man Of The Match: Ismael Fatadjo.

Attendance: 299