It was an excellent victory for the Blues after a tepid first half performance, but followed up with a resillient second half with a match winning finish from Tom Scully and a resolute defensive display from Dino Visser and his back five who he marshalled throughout the game. Leek climbed to 15th in the league but still only 4 points above the dropzone.

Julius Ndene returned to the starting eleven in place of the injured Tom Curl at centre half, and Liam Buckley was still unavailable serving the last game of a two match ban.

Hebburn were keen to move the forward at every opportunity hitting into channels quickly and trying to win every second ball. Walton delivered the ball early into the box only for Heywood to head away and this was the pattern for the early part of the game as the ball was delivered into the Leek box multiple times. Gomes played in West on 8 minutes but did not trouble Visser has his shot sailed over.

On 13 minutes Noble lofted the ball to the left of the area towards Purewal, he challenged for the ball but bounced off Okome in a shoulder to shoulder challenge with the Hebburn players appealing for a penalty, with no avail. This was the start of a good spell from the Hornets with many more crosses and attempts on goal, namely Purewal, Savage and Walton either shooting over or straight at Visser.

On 32 minutes Purewal broke in the middle only to be tackled by Liam Edwards, however this was adjudged to be foul and one of many yellow cards for Leek were branded. Noble launched the freekcik in the area and once again Heywood headed away.

Just two minutes later Visser did his first double save of the day, firstly from a close range header from Donaghy and then a follow up shot from Walton to maintain his clean sheet.

Leek then steadied them selves and tried to break out from the almost constant defending, Potts and Campbell combined well with Campbell squeezing off a shot which was defended for a corner. The resulting corner was delivered deep by Scully but defended well.

Hebburn broke once again through who fed Noble on the left, however his cross was not good enough as he failed to find Purewal at the back post.

Leek looked as though they had weathered the storm and had a good 5 minute spell before half time, with Heywood delivering a couple of good crosses. The Blues then had Visser to thank again in injury time at the end of the first half as he pulled off his best save of the game with another double save. It was Noble who played a lovely ball into Purewal who shot, Visser parried and then with the goal at his mercy West shot again but Visser had somehow managed to recover and parry again for the Leek defence to clear.

HEBBURN TOWN - LEEK TOWN 0 HT

Leek made a tactical change at the start of the second half with Hurst coming on for Campbell who had received an early booking. Leek began to look far more balances and Hurst became a good outlet with the ball sticking.

On 49 minutes Leek created the best chance to date with Weir shooting from just outside the box but Elsdon was able to block it. Leek did not have to wait long for their goal and on 51 minutes it came. Weir found Scully from the middle who fed the ball wide to Onyeka, he advanced down the right wing to beat his man and deliver the ball to the near post for the onrushing Tom Scully who cushioned the ball on the volley for a lovely finish, the net fluttered and the travelling fans were jubilant.

Whilst Hebburn continued to press and play direct Leek were getting much more joy on the counter attack with Hurst, Potts and Onyeka. on 65 minutes Hebburn made a double change inject fresh legs into the game but Leek continued to hold firm.

On 68 minutes Murray tried his luck from distance but did not trouble Visser with the shot sailing over the bar, just a minute later Leek had the best chance to seal the game but somehow could not convert the chance.

A back pass to Hunter was slightly short and Potts charged it down forcing the the keeper to mis control the ball, the resulting tackle left the keeper on the ground as he tried to retrieve the ball but as Potts created space to shoot the referee blew for a late foul on the keeper, one of many decisions for both sides which were slightly unorthodox, resulting in a yellow card for the frustrated Potts.

Hunter was obviously struggling but made another great save from Potts on 72 minutes as Heywood found him from distance, the powerful striker took his chance early but Hunter pulled off a great save to push the ball out for a corner.

On 74 minutes the Hornets created their best chance of the second half with Spence delivering a lovely cross to Purewal but his cushioned header went wide. On 79 minutes Hunter was replaced by Dobson as he was unable to continue in goal for the Hornets.

Leek were now in game management mode and frustrating Hebburn at every opportunity, limiting them to shots from distance. On 80 minutes it was Gomes who tried his luck, but blasting his effort over the bar.

On 87 minutes there was a flurry of yellow cards after Spence was deemed to be fouled, with Noble for Hebburn and Reeves and Weir booked for Leek. Noble delivered the ball but Ndene stood tall to head away. In the next passage of play Visser was booked for what was deemed time wasting as Leek inched towards victory, the referee then indicated 6 further minutes.

Hebburn were now throwing everything at Leek and appealing for every decision in a bid to get an equaliser, on 92 minutes Posthill crossed the ball into the box with Okome defending with his body, resulting in appeals from the Hebburn players for handball.

There was still one more chance for Hebburn with danger man Purewall showing quick feet to go round Visser only to be denied by George Milner on the line, the referee blew for full time to the rousing cheers of the travelling True Blue Army.

HEBBURN TOWN - LEEK TOWN 1 FT

REPORT BY MORE NEWS FROM NOWHERE

Match Photo Gallery courtesy of Jim Booth HERE

No rest for the wicked and a busy week with the visit of Sporting Khalsa on Tuesday 4 March in the quarter finals of the Staffordshire Senior Cup and Morpeth Town on Saturday 9 March in league action.

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