Leek Town took a well earned point against Hebburn Town with a late equaliser from the returning Louis Potts after a topsy turvy game where the lead changed 3 times over the course of 90 minutes. A battling performance yielding a point for the Blues on their travels.

Josh Brehaut shuffled his pack and brought into the starting line up Julius Ndene, Jordan Hodkin and Jack Griffiths - such is the competition in the squad currently with Charlies Hayes-Green, Adam Porter, Ollie Shenton and Ollie Haywood all taking a spot on the bench.

The game started with the Blues under the cosh with long balls into the wind and a high press from the Hornets, and this was rewarded with the softest of penalties after 2 minutes when Tom Curl was adjudged to have fouled Jack Foalle with the feintest of physical challenges just inside the box - right under the linesman's nose, who did not flag for the foul, the referee pointed to the spot.

Gary Martin stepped up who hit a low shot to the bottom left corner but failed to hit the target, however Dino Visser had guessed the right way and had the shot covered - Leek fans will have felt justice had been done.

Hebburn continued to press and on 4 minutes it was Martin again who passed the ball back to Murray who shot was blocked by Buckley.

It was then Leeks chance to counter attack when Hurst swung a cross in to Hodkin who shot was blocked - a few minutes later it was Hodkin again with a snap shot which was saved by keeper Cameron.

The Hornets then had a good spell as they asserted themselves with long balls and a couple of corners and were rewarded on 22minutes when Ethan Wood opened the scoring. The Blues were guilty of trying to play the ball out of defence and Briggs picked up the ball and played the ball to Wood who drilled a low shot into the bottom left hand corner to beat the outstretched Visser.

Leek stuck to their game plan and grabbed an equaliser on the 29minutes, Hodkin drove forward on the right hand side and fed the ball to Weir, he produced a good shot who produced an excellent save from Cameron but Conor Heath was there to calmly nod the rebound over the line with a looping header.

The game swung again with Hebburn pushing to get in front with Briggs and Martin combining well to set up Foalle - his first time shot from close range being turned round the post. Hebburn were having a good spell with several corners.

The next section of play was bizarre with Buckley advancing down the line and into the area and being tripped by Donaghy - the referee gave a free kick for simulation and a yellow card to Buckley. After remonstration from the Leek players for an obvious penalty the referee consulted his linesman and after a brief discussion reversed his original decision, by withdrawing the yellow card and awarding a penalty. Alex Hurst took the ball, and smashed to the keepers left for Leek to go in 2-1 up.

It was the cusp of half time and Leek needed to regain their composure but disappointingly they conceded almost immediately from the restart. Murray found Wood with a short pass who drove forward and unleashed a fierce shot from distance to score a terrific equaliser.

HEBBURN TOWN 2 - LEEK TOWN 2 HT

The second half continued in a back and forth manner but it was Hebburn who had the best chances in the early exchanges with Murray and Martin both having shots blocked.

Leek then had a good spell resulting in a corner which was swung in by Hurst on 62minutes - the cross was superbly met by Edwards to score but the referee once again was the subject of much discussion in the crowd when he ruled out the goal for an infringement from Ndene.

Hebburn continued to press and had the better of the latter exchanges. First it was Foalle again who was denied again from the impressive Visser at close range on 66minutes.

Brehaut then brought Potts and Shenton on for Heath and Hodkin on 68minutes to inject some fresh impetus.

Hebburn kept the pressure up but Visser was commanding in the air and looked to soak up the pressure. However on 78minutes Leek had a lucky escape with Ndene defending the shot well only for Martin to shoot in the scramble with the ball coming off the post and being cleared to safety.

The game looked to be heading for a draw but there was still time for drama from both sides. Leek looked like they cut snatch it as Weir ran forward and placed a shot wide right of the keeper to see the shot go agonisingly wide.

Just 2minutes later it looked as though Leek hearts were broken when the Blues were caught square and Charlton found Martin who raced forward (with more than the faintest hint of offside) to beat the advancing Visser to go 3-2 up with only 2minuted left of the 90.

To their credit Leek did not give up as the referee indicated 5minutes of added time, with Edwards, Ndene and Visser advancing forward when Leek were awarded a corner. This was successfully defended but Leek were awarded another corner, Weir produced his curling trademark cross deep into the mixer which was initially defended by Donaghy with his head then chest, however it was the returning Louis Potts who wrote the headlines has he lashed onto the loose ball with the sweetest volley high into the corner of the Hebburn net to break Hornets hearts.

The game restarted and the referee blew immediately for full time.

HEBBURN TOWN 3 - LEEK TOWN 3 FT

REPORT BY MORENEWSFROMNOWHERE

So a morale boosting point and performance for the Blues as they now prepare for the difficult Isuzu FA Trophy against Southern League Premier Central members Bromsgrove Sporting - you can buy your tickets HERE

PLEASE NOTE SEASON TICKETS ARE NOT VALID FOR THIS FIXTURE.

Match Photos courtesy of Jim Booth HERE