Real Bedford’s preparation for the Southern League play-offs took a hit on Tuesday night (14 April) as they lost 1-0 to Leiston for the second time this season.
However, it was a good night for Bedford Town who took another step towards safety in National League North without even playing.
A win for Real Bedford in their rearranged fixture against Leiston would have guaranteed a home play-off semi final in Southern League Premier Central, but they came unstuck for the second time this season, as the Suffolk-based Blues held on for a 1-0 win that keeps their own slender play-off hopes alive.
As it happened, results elsewhere have all but ensured Real will finish third – only Needham Market can catch them with a huge goal difference swing – but the slim loss will put a dent in confidence heading into what will be a tough play-off campaign.
Blois winner enough for Leiston
Eddie Jackson’s lone first half goal was the difference in Suffolk in November, and Ronnie Blois was the difference this time as Leiston held on to complete the league double over the Pirates.
Jude Frostick shot wide on the 20-minute mark for the visitors, while Ben Weyman – in a rare start for Real – followed suit moments later.
The winner came after 30 minutes, as Joao Rangel crossed from the right, finding Adam Mills whose shot was diverted into the net by Ronnie Blois.
It would turn out to be the only goal of the game, and a second winner inside four days for Blois who bagged a 96th minute clincher at Quorn on Saturday (11 April), as Leiston battle to stay alive in the play-off hunt.
The second half saw Leiston hit the woodwork twice, with Willie Clemons crashing a header off the bar, while Rangel also hit the post in injury time on the break.
Second half chances for Real fell to Josh Allen and Jack Davies, as well as Archie Jones who saw an effort scrambled off the line late on, but Leiston would hold on for a league double over the Pirates, in what was their ninth league loss of the campaign.
Real’s third place finish will see them face fourth place in the Southern League Premier Central play-offs; a spot currently held by Kettering Town, who have also completed a league double over Rob Sinclair’s side this season.
The regular league season finishes with a home game against Alvechurch on Saturday (18 April), followed by a trip to relegation threatened, Bromsgrove Sporting on the final day.
A good night for the Eagles
Elsewhere, Bedford Town enjoyed a favourable evening without stepping foot on the pitch in National League North, as relegation candidates around them dropped points.
Hereford, who still have a game in hand on everyone else, went ahead after five minutes in their clash against Oxford City, but conceded late twice to lose out, while Alfreton Town also missed out in drawing at home to Buxton.
Hereford’s game in hand is against Marine, a side who they beat away from home last week, while they also have to face Radcliffe and already relegated, Peterborough Sports.
For Bedford Town, they have a monumental trip to the north east to face title challengers, South Shields before hosting Scarborough on the final day on Saturday, 25 April.
Despite resting on 51 points – a tally that would normally be enough for survival – Bedford Town may well need some more, but are in the driving seat for National League survival, as they wave the Lee Bircham era off into the sunset.
