There was to be no FA Cup upset at the F Ball Community Stadium as Leek Town eased past their lower league opponents, Ashby Ivanhoe, with a comfortable 2-0 victory with a goal in each half.

In truth, had the Blues worn their shooting boots the scoreline could and should have been more but they had to rely on a goal apiece from Tim Grice and Alex Hurst.

For Grice it marked a significant milestone as the striker, affectionately known as Mr Leek due to his 13 years service to the club, netted his 250th goal for the Blues; a remarkable achievement at any level of football.

The striker could have had a first half hat trick but failed to convert from close range from a low cross and then mistimed his jump for a simple header at the far post before finally netting in the 41st minute. The goal was created by Joe Woolley who did well to win the ball on the edge of the Ivanhoe area before playing a one two with Ty Webster and then sliding a low cross into the 6yd box that Grice swept home in typical fashion.

It was noticeable that the goal had involved the 3 players who had been changes to the Leek starting eleven with Alex Hurst, Brendon Daniels and Lucas Weir being rested showing the importance of the whole squad.

Apart from the goal and Grices other opportunities, there were further chances the Blues spurned in a decidedly one sided first half. Webster hIt the post with a left footed effort after cutting inside his opponent with the ball rebounding straight to Ollie Shenton but he was unable to keep it down and his follow up cleared the unguarded goal.

Webster and Woolley also combined to create a shooting opportunity for Woolley but he saw Ivanhoe goalkeeper Bradley Carlow produce a good save low down to his right pushing the ball away with strong hands.

The Knights only real opportunity of the first period came on the stroke of half-time when Leek keeper Dino Visser saved from Ashley Garner after the Blues defence had failed to clear a cross but it was a telling reminder that for all of the home sides dominance there was only one goal in it and they had failed to kill off the opposition.

LEEK TOWN 1 - ASHBY IVAHOE 0 HT

Leek started the second half strongly looking for that important second goal. On 46mins Woolley produced a deft flick into the path of the overlapping Liam Buckley who found Grice in the area but his shot was deflected away for a corner that Catlow was able to gather.

Grice had another even better chance on 51mins when clean through but after taking the ball to the side of Catlow his shot hit the post. The ball came straight back out to him but his follow up effort was saved by the Knights keeper who had managed to recover his ground. From the resultant corner Grices near post header was blocked for another corner as the Blues forced a series of them which also saw Catlow save from Shenton to ensure the lead remained at a solitary goal.

Prompted by a couple of substitutions Ashby.were now starting to get a bit more adventurous as they had nothing to lose as the underdog. After a strong run down the left wing by Jack Robinson Visser had to block his shot at the near post before Chris Acott blazed over the rebound.

However it was one of Leeks own substitutes, Hurst, who finally settled the home fans growing frustrations with the second goal on 76mins. It followed a flowing move down the left after Ashby had started to leave a few more gaps in pushing for an equaliser. Hurst began and finished the move as he initially held the ball up awaiting support which arrived from fellow substitute Weir, along with a lovely flick from Shenton. The three exchanged a series of passes around the edge and into the area before Hurst slotted coolly past Catlow for 2-0.

The visitors looked as if they knew the game was up and despite their continued efforts Town were able to keep them at bay so that Visser was untroubled and ensure it will be Leeks name going into the hat for Mondays draw for the next round.

LEEK TOWN 2 - ASHBY IVAHOE 0 FT

REPORT BY WINNERS LAD

Post match interview courtesy of Moorlands Sports Radio HERE

Match Highlights from Terry Boote HERE

Match photos courtesy of Jim Booth HERE

So our next game will be Saturday 7 September at home to Worksop Town in the Pitching In Northern Premier League. However all eyes will be on the FA Cup draw on Monday lunchtime as we await our next game on Saturday 14 September.