The Town came into the game off the back of back to back defeats, therefore a win would regain some of that confidence that was being built only a few weeks ago.
Leighton made 3 changes to the side that lost to Crawley Green. Aaron McKee, Lewis McBride and Paolo Baggati being replaced by Michael Donkor, Brian Foulger and Jay Caines.
It was a sluggish start by the Town and just 7 minutes into the tie, they found themselves a goal down. Matt Hall failed to clear his lines and Baldock front man Russell Bull dispossessed the Town full back, before rifling past Charlie Jones into the far left corner.
Baldock’s goal only seemed to galvanise them and they continued to surge forward and pressurise the Town back line. Robbie Buchanan trying his luck with an overhead kick, but it went well wide of the mark.
Not long into the tie, Leighton were forced to make their first change. Michael Donkor picking up a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Kyran Gadsden, for his first team bow.
The Town were struggling to create anything in the means of chances. Kyle Faulkner had an effort blocked and Yusef Seodi’s rebound was tame and straight at goalkeeper Adam Harpur.
With 5 minutes to go until half time, it looked like the hosts would be going in level. But, they didn’t! Matt Hall’s inviting corner was met by Captain Dave Murphy who headed the ball past Harpur to equalise for the Town!
The Second Half began in much better fashion for the Town and they should’ve levelled in the very early minutes. Jay Caines’ teasing cross looped up to the back post where Kyle Faulkner was arriving, but his shot cannoned off of his boot and somehow went wide, from only one or two yards out.
Just 5 minutes later and Leighton would live to roux that missed chance. Kim Forsythe slipped in Kieran Barnes, who danced past Charlie Jones, and slotted with ease into the empty net, making it 2-1 to Baldock.
The assistant to that goal then went close just a few minutes later. Kim Forsythe breaking through before being tackled superbly by Matt Brady inside the penalty area. However, Forsythe managed to get back on his feet and regain possession before firing wide of Charlie Jones’ goal. A big chance to put the game to bed for the hosts.
As the game continued to play out chances were few and far between for both sides.
Although, there were bookings. Lots and lots of bookings.
The Man in the Middle seemed to lose control of the game and dished yellow cards to multiple players for both sides.
With time ticking on and the Town not looking like scoring, Joe Sweeney and Paul Copson made a double change to try and find an equaliser. Kyle Faulkner and first half substitute Kyran Gadsden were replaced by George Dentice and Chris Cutler.
As the game entered injury time, the Town had their last opportunity of the game and a big opportunity it was. Matt Hall’s long free kick was headed back across goal by Dave Murphy into the path of Carl Resch. However, Resch’s header was right at goalkeeper Adam Harpur and it fell into his arms.
The last piece of action was in the 8th minute of stoppage time. Tom Silford already on a yellow card was shown a second, for something in the far corner of the ground, which looked like an off the ball incident.
That was all of the action at The New Lamb Meadow and the Town lose their for the 2nd time this season, surprisingly by the same score line both times.
Not the worst but not the best Town display this season, in a game that was certainly overshadowed by the referee.