The Ravens had won six of their last seven games and were unbeaten at home in 2015 whilst Blues were looking to end a run of three successive defeats.

Despite an excellent carpet-like surface, the first half did not provide a great deal of goalmouth action as the sides looked for ways to break down the others defence.

Luke Smithson got in behind the Blues back line on 15 minutes but shot across goal from a tight angle whilst Sean Kinsella had a 25 yard free-kick pushed over the crossbar five minutes later.

Tim Grice had Blues best chance of the half when he latched onto a defence splitting ball from Karl Espley but his shot was saved by the onrushing keeper and Liam Shotton’s follow up effort was blocked.

On the stroke of half-time the Ravens could have gone ahead when Jake Woolley picked up a through ball but he lifted his shot over Ben Chapman and well over the crossbar.

Lee Casswell sprung a surprise at half-time by bringing on Niall Maguire for Sean Kinsella after previously reporting Maguire’s hernia problem would keep him out for the rest of the season.

In the 49th minute Coalville were awarded a penalty for an alleged trip that looked dubious as the player went down in an exaggerated fashion. However Nathan Watson smashed the spot-kick against the underside of the crossbar.

Maguire was in the thick of the action and got himself booked along with Ant Danylyk before Grice missed a great chance on the hour when his low shot from just inside of the box went the wrong side of the post.

Ben Chapman got down well to make a great save to deny Woolley in the 78th minute before Blues snatched the winning goal.

A free-kick from the right side of the penalty area was whipped in left-footed by Darren Chadwick and Shotton (pictured) nodded the ball home at the near post for Blues first goal in over five hours of football.

Two minutes from time the Ravens went close when Alex Dean’s long range effort whistled past the post but Leek dug in for a fine victory that was celebrated with a mixture of jubilation and relief by players. management and supporters alike at the final whistle.

Team: Chapman, Thompson, Jackson, Hall, Espley, Chadwick, Danylyk, Shelley (J Johnson, 74), Grice, Shotton, Kinsella (Maguire, 45)

Unused subs: Donnelly, A Johnson, Martin

Yellow cards: Maguire, Danylyk

Attendance: 86