LEighton slip back into bottom two

The result, combined with Aylesbury United’s shock 1-0 win over St Ives Town, means Leighton slip back into the bottom two.

After picking up another valuable point against midtable Ware last Tuesday, courtesy of a 1-1 draw, Stuart Murray’s men travelled to Kings Langley who were keen to make it five wins in a row - a run which had seen them shoot up to third in the league at the start of play.

Despite the gulf in league positions, Leighton made the home side work hard for their victory, and looked full deserving of a point at Gaywood Park.

The home side, who are now chasing an unlikely third promotion in as many seasons, started with typical storming pace, with Callum Adebiyi’s shot deflected past the post by keeper Sam Wyer and a header just over by the same player, punctuated by a David Hutton shot that was somehow saved by the impressive Wyer.

Town responded well with left wing runs by Lewis McBride posing some problems, an Ibrahim Kallon shot deflected and an Aaron McKee volley punched clear by Kings keeper Xavi Comas.

At the other end, a Danny Hutchins shot was tipped round the post as the game flowed, but it was Leighton who drew first blood.

James Hatch opened up the right wing with a run that rounded Adebiyi and Connor Toomey to deliver a perfect cross for Ben Gallant to slot home at the far post.

A stunned Kings had an Immanuelson Duku shot cleared off the line, but the visitors held their advantage until the break.

Kings knew they would face a second half onslaught and so it proved, with Connor Toomey providing an unstoppable header to a David Hutton corner after just eight minutes to restore parity.

The match entered an intriguing phase as Leighton dug in to hold on to a point, but Kings were raising their game as the midfield battles were being won by the fiercely competitive Ryan Plowright.

At the top end of the pitch, the strength and persistence of Kings striker Mitchell Weiss was beginning to dominate a tiring defence.

With a quarter of an hour to go, a sublime through-ball by Stevie Ward was seized on by Weiss and, although Wyer got a hand to his shot, the sheer power took it into the net.

Town substitute Jack Copson had a back-heel cleared off the line by Emmanuel Folarin, but there was to be no reward for a Leighton team that looks far better than their league position suggests.