Draw doesn't help Town out of the drop zone

Aylesbury United’s 1-0 win over Arlesey sees them open the gap back to Leighton to two points ahead of their hotly anticipated relegation clash on Easter Monday.

Town’s result though probably raises more eyebrows though on the landscape of the league, with Aylesbury chasing a play-off spot and Leighton in the drop zone.

With the pitch looking dry and hard, both teams struggled to retain possession although the hosts as you would expect looked the more confident of the two teams in the early stages.

Aylesbury were keen to get on the front foot but Leighton kept their defensive shape well and they did not allow the hosts the space and time to create any decent chances.

Aylesbury created a couple of half chances but Brad Kirkwood in the Leighton goal was never troubled and Matt Varnica in the home goal was a spectator for long periods.

Leighton created a couple of opportunities for themselves towards the later stages of the first half but Curtis Shaw put a left footed effort over the bar and shortly before the break Jordan Jenkins went close with a headed effort from a corner.

Aylesbury continued to be the more positive team in the second period but again they never seriously troubled Kirkwood who was well protected by Jenkins and Kallon in central defence.

Aylesbury did look dangerous in one attack when Haule went around Kallon before pulling the ball back but Town managed to clear the danger at the expense of a corner.

Leighton looked more confident as the game progressed but Birch failed to get a shot in from the edge of the box and the hosts broke quickly down the pitch and Haule’s lobbed effort just cleared the bar before landing on top of the net. Town need the learn that defence is soon turned into attack by the better teams in this League.

Shortly afterwards, Town had strong appeals for a penalty for handball turned down by the officials, and with a couple of minutes remaining Maisiri drove a left footed effort which looked to be going just inside the keeper’s left hand post. But the Varnica made an exceptional one handed save to prevent the hosts going behind.

This was a hard working team performance by Leighton against a side they have never beaten in the Southern League and they will need to give more performances of this character if they are to retain their Southern League place.

Defensively Town looked solid but failed to create chances at the other.

Most of the spectators who turned up on a cold afternoon will soon forget this match but Leighton’s joy at earning a point was reduced when they learned that fellow strugglers Aylesbury United had beaten Arlesey Town.

Town’s Easter weekend sees them play Potters Bar on Saturday and the huge match with Aylesbury United on Easter Monday.