Travelling Leighton Town drifted down to sixth this weekend after losing 2-1 to local foes Dunstable Town. It would be a frustrating afternoon for Lee Bircham’s outfit, who seemed second best for most of the game in front of a cagey Creasey Park.
Early on, Leighton looked to have good intentions. Leon Lobjoit tested Connor Coulson on ’14 although debatably firing straight at the ex-Leighton man. Up the other end, Dunstable won a penalty. Kyle Faulkner stepped up and slotted it straight down the middle to make it 1-0 20 minutes in.
After the goal, Leighton Town tried to continue unfazed but couldn’t get it to go. 22 minutes saw a Lobjoit header whizz wide. Will Summerfield’s low drive on 25’ had the keeper sprawling and Kieran Turner’s tame effort capped an annoying first period of play.
Boisterous tackling from another ex-Leighton man, Luke Dunstan, would force Summerfield to withdraw at the break. Injury would intervene once more as Ethan Flanagan would be replaced after going down. Oran Jackson also struggled.
On 57’, Town would rattle the hosts’ bar but it’d be a positive sign as Lobjoit eventually got one back six minutes later. Lewis Toomey slid in a ball for his strike partner and although it had a bit of pace on it, Lobjoit used this to his advantage, sticking out a hopeful prod to divert it past the helpless keeper.
As the away contingent had hopes of a comeback, it would actually prove to be a flash in the pan. Pushed on by the majority of the 603 in attendance, the blues took only two minutes to retrieve the lead. Tolu Ikuyinminu picked out the bottom left following good link up play to send the fans behind that goal crazy.
Despite more second half subs, the score wouldn’t change. The day’s frustration was perhaps summed up by late misses. Archie McClelland missed a great Kwai Marsh-Brown cross at the back post. Robbie Goodman’s header on 90’ was so near yet so far.
After this one, Town tackle top team Crawley Green at home on Tuesday night.

LTFC XI: Comas; Fitzgerald, Connolly, Connolly (C), Jackson, Flanagan, Turner, Spaul, Toomey, Lobjoit, Summerfield.

Subs: McClelland, Dumbuya, Towell, Goodman, Marsh-Brown.

Report by Max Bradfield