LEIGHTON Town produced a fine second half performance to earn a draw at home to AFC Hayes on Saturday – a result which should prove to be a point gained rather than two dropped in their bid to avoid relegation.
At times it was difficult to tell exactly which team was fighting the drop and which was chasing promotion at the top end of the table.
Town went into the fixture sat sixth from bottom of the Evo-Stik League Division One Central, but were more than a match for the men from west London as Stuart Deaton’s header 15 minutes from full time earned them a deserved point in a fiery encounter.
Although he was disappointed with his side’s previous result as Town lost 3-0 away at Rugby last Saturday, boss Craig Wells only made one change to the line-up, recalling Ben Gallant up front in place of Leon Simpson.
With a blustery wind blowing down the Bell Close pitch, both sides struggled to get any sort of pattern going, although the hosts took the game to their opponents without creating any clear cut chances.
Jake Bewley drove a cross in from the left, but it was just too high for Lewis McBride at the far post as Leighton created the first real opening on 18 minutes.
But Town’s next chance didn’t arrive until the 32nd minute of the game as Bewley beat a couple of players down the right flank before pulling the ball back to Ross Hanley, but the midfielder didn’t connect particularly well with the ball on his weaker left foot and his effort was blocked and cleared to safety.
Just after this both teams were involved in a midfield scuffle that ended with three players being booked, as the referee struggled to keep control.
With emotions still running high, the visitors took the lead in the 41st minute when Town conceded a corner on the right and when the ball fell loose, Tom Duffy smashed his shot into the net to give Hayes an undeserved lead at the break.
However, Leighton started the second half in a more determined manner and began to pass the ball around with some style and retain possession better than they did in the opening 45 minutes.
The equaliser eventually came in the 75th minute after Town were awarded a free kick in the midfield area, despite protests that the referee should have let play continue.
Bewley drove the ball into the Hayes penalty area and Deaton, who had already enjoyed a good game in central defence, showed his attacking qualities and rose the highest above his markers to head the ball into the net.
There was only going to be one winner after that as Town looked to grab a second goal and record a fourth straight home league win.
With five minutes remaining another good Town move led to McBride setting up Shane Hill, but his low shot was brilliantly saved by the Hayes keeper.
Town looked full of confidence after their equaliser and after another good passing move Jack Copson hit a crisp left footed shot across the goal, but just wide of the far post.
It was starting to look like they had left it a little late, but Town did have one final chance to take all three points when Bewley beat four players in a great run before he was crudely brought down just outside the penalty area and the subsequent free-kick was wasted.
However, the draw can still be looked at as a good one against a side who have improved greatly since Town beat them 1-0 on the opening day of the season. Next up is a trip to mid-table Ashford Town this Saturday, with Wells’ men looking to build on the draw and return to winning ways.
>> A young Leighton reserve side lost their latest fixture away at Berkhamsted 4-1.