Leek Town made their longest trip of the season to Morpeth Town on Saturday just 3 weeks after the previous meeting where the Highwaymen ran out one - nil winners at the F Ball Community Stadium. Josh Brehaut named an unchanged starting eleven from the previous two league games who had won at FC United and at home to Ashton United.

Leek will feel that a point was their just desserts with a super strike from Adam Porter, but it could have been three with tow late efforts from Hayden Campbell.

The game started brightly with the Blues getting lots of joy down the left through Alex Hurst who seemed to have the better of the Morpeth fullback. Before long Leek crafted their first chance with an in swinging corner from Lucas Weir whose delivery fell to Nathan Okome but his effort was blocked on the line.

A few minutes later it was Hurst again who delivered from the left to the far post, the onrushing Shenton hit a controlled shot into the ground but once again it was blocked.

It was a little against the run of play when Morpeth took the lead on 17 minutes with a very well taken goal from Jack Foalie, the ball broke quickly and was played to the right wing, high over Ollie Heywood to Foalie. He controlled the ball really well and cut in from the right unleashing a left footed, curling shot from distance to beat the fully stretched Visser.

Morpeth then had a very good period of the game, content to soak up any pressure and break up play, and then craft chances when they could. The game craft in show from the previous game was still evident as they nullified any Leek attacks.

The Blues nearly went two behind on 31 minutes when Sam Hodgson found himself in the box and fired in a powerful shot from close range to the near post, Visser flung himself in front of the shot with ball striking him in full in the face. The game had a lengthy delay as the big stopper composed himself after the save.

The first half passed without much else to report, although Leek were convinced they should have received a penalty as the ball was delivered into the box and hit Henderson from the close range, as he appeared to raise his hands to protect his face.

MORPETH TOWN 1 - LEEK TOWN 0 HT

Leek started the second half well but Morpeth had definitely identified Hurst as a threat as they doubled up on as he tried to progress down the wing. Bollado received the first yellow card of the game on 55 minutes and a minute later Leek had their best chance to equalise. A chance was created when a deep ball over the top was chased down by Taylor Bowen, he was able to out pace and muscle the impressive Henderson to get in front of his man. However his shot was well saved by the advancing Langley.

Morpeth regrouped and then had another good spell, the ball fell kindly to Henderson in the box but he slashed his effort wide. Bollada was replaced by Barlow and on 64 minutes, shortly after Morpeth crafted another chance when Foalie cut the ball back to Hodgson (the striker) but his strike was well saved by Visser.

Leek were having alot of the possession but were failing to created any really good openings as Morpeth defended deeply. The management team brought on Porter for Shenton and the Scott for Bowen.

This led to a really good spell by the Blues and the changes seemed to have done the trick. Leek advanced down the left with Buckley but he was scythed down by King who received a yellow for his trouble. Weir delivered another good ball which was defended well for a corner, the resulting corner was also defended well but momentum was building as Morpeth defended deeper and seemed to be tiring from not having possession.

Morpeth were still dangerous on the counter attack and it was Foalie again who broke and shot, but this time it was into the side netting.

Time was running out and the Blues continued to press, the ball was played into Porter from the right who took two strides froward from midfielder and hit a sweet dipping shot from distance over the onrushing defenders giving Langley no chance as it hit the right hand side of the net.

This gave Leek a real lift and in the remaining 7 minutes of play (2 regular and 5 added on) they crafted two further chances that could have won them the game. Campbell received the ball from the left and turned on the left hand edge of the area, the Morpeth defence stood off and as they did he floated a shot around them to far right hand corner. The ball evaded the stranded Langley but fell harmlessly behind for goal kick.

Moments later in an almost identical move Campbell executed another lovely weighted shot that this time was just inside the post, but Langley was equal to it and at full stretch just tipped the ball around the post for a corner. The corner was defended well and the referee blew for full time.

MORPETH TOWN 1 - LEEK TOWN 1 FT

REPORT BY WINNERS LAD

Leek have a full week to prepare for the next game against Bamber bridge on Saturday 5th April - Brig just 3 points behind them in 17th place after the victory against Gainsborough Trinity at the weekend.

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Match Photos courtesy of Jim Booth HERE