A delayed kick-off due to the late arrival of the Barwell team - victims of the roadworks on the A14 - may have deterred the Leiston players, who were second best in all departments over the course of the afternoon.
Barwell took the lead after a period of sustained pressure towards the end of the first half, with Massiah McDonald and Jordan Nelson both going close.
After an initial good stop from Marcus Garnham in the Leiston goal on 37 minutes, Barwell captain Brady Hickey lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the far corner, giving the visitors a well-earned half-time lead.
Leiston had the best chance to score in the second half when Leiston worked the ball well down the left hand side, only for Christy Finch to be denied by Canaries debutant Elliott Taylor, who will have been buoyed by an impressive clean sheet on his first competitive appearance for Barwell.
Some desperate tactical switches from the home side saw them finish the match with four strikers on the pitch, although a resolute defensive performance from Barwell saw them take all three points back to Leicestershire.
Despite the game not being the most entertaining affair, it was an impressive display from Ginnelly's men, with Leiston supporters hailing Barwell as a 'well organised and very hard working team' on social media after the game.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
14. | Lowestoft Town | 42 | 51 |
15. | Redditch United | 42 | 50 |
16. | Barwell | 42 | 49 |
17. | Banbury United | 42 | 49 |
18. | Hitchin Town | 42 | 48 |
19. | Leiston | 42 | 47 |
20. | St Neots Town | 42 | 36 |