The Royals had put eleven goals past Leek in their last two meetings, but there was no repeat this time as Blues picked up their third win of the week.

Leek adapted to the 3G surface at Coles Lane well as they bossed the early stages of the game.

Matt Haddrell had the first real chance of the game when his shot hit the outside of the post after 18 minutes.

Seven minutes later Haddrell had the ball in the net as Tim Grice flicked a ball into the box goalwards and in the ensuing scramble Haddrell smashed the ball home off the keeper from close range.

Haddrell saw a header go just over before Ben Chapman made his first save of the game with his legs on the stroke of half time.

Five minutes after the break, Haddrell was unlucky when his powerful header thumped against the crossbar.

The Royals equalised on 62 minutes when a fine 25 yard effort from Jamie Sheldon found the bottom corner of the net.

The lead only lasted four minutes though as Haddrell produced a towering header from a Tim Sanders free kick to put Blues back in front.

There was a frantic finish as both sides had chances to score. On 82 minutes Tim Sanders cleared off the line and Leek broke upfield and Adam Roberts found himself one on one but was denied by Cooper in the home goal.

Sutton thought that had scored after 86 minutes when a header hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down but the assistant referee ruled that the ball did not cross the line with the home players already celebrating a goal.

Leek held out through four minutes of added time for another valuable three points in their quest for a place in the promotion play-offs.

Team:

1. Ben Chapman
2. Tim Sanders
3. Ben Nixon (15, Anthony Danylyk, 70)
4. Jack Lane
5. Matt Bell
6. George Ray
7. Tim Grice (14, Dan Cope, 80)
8. Christian Millar
9. Matt Haddrell
10. Adam Roberts (12, Oliver Edwards, 88)
11. Ashley Woolliscroft

Unused Subs: 16. Glyn Mellor, 17. Nathan Bullock

Yellow card: Tim Grice

Attendance: 152