Last-gasp goal sees Histon knocked out of the FA Trophy by Leek Town

An injury-time goal with the last kick of the game saw Histon knocked out of the FA Trophy, second qualifying round 2-1 by Leek Town.

Danny Gould had given Histon a first-half lead, but two second-half efforts by the impressive Will Saxon saw the Staffordshire side earn the victory.

Histon had a good control of the game in the first half. It was being provided by the pivot of Lee Smith in front of the defence, which was also acting to not allow any space to Leek.

The visitors had shown their threat in behind the defence in the third minute, Daniel Trickett-Smith beat the offside trap to race clear but Sam Roach made a great stop to palm out the shot and was then able to react quickly to thwart the rebound from Billy Reeves with his legs.

It was a different story at the other end for Histon’s opener.

Ed Rolph headed down into the path of Gould, and his fierce drive from 25 yards was too strong for Leek keeper Daniel Roberts, who probably should have done better.

There was another scare in the 18th minute. Charlie Lewis broke into the box for Histon, and though Roberts thwarted the chance, he had to gather the ball at the second opportunity.

Leek almost had an equaliser in the 22nd minute. A flowing move ended with Saxon smashing a shot against the post, and it rebounded clear to safety.

Histon had a couple of half chances before the break, through Josh Dawkin and Max York, but they were unable to add to their lead for which they were good value.

It was a different story in the second half, as the relative control that Histon had before the break transferred to the visitors.

Saxon certainly looked the most likely to get Leek back into the game, with a fearless running style to put Histon onto the back foot.

He did well to roll his man and fire a shot across goal in the 49th minute, and then delivered a low cross that caused confusion in the box, but Matt Bell was smothered out so unable to get a clear shot away.

In between those moments, Histon had appeals for a handball at a corner waved away, and then Rolph went close with a header in the 62nd minute.

Leek hit the frame of the goal again in the 65th minute.

Histon switched off at a corner and Reeves' out-swinging shot from 20 yards struck the outside of the post.

Leek had their equaliser in the 68th minute. James Kirby's flick-on arrived at the feet of Saxon arriving into the area and his drive went underneath Roach.

There was then a great block by York to deny Saxon again, and to keep the sides level.

In stoppage time, there was another good save by Roach, who stood tall at the front post to deny Tim Grice, and he was then called on to get down low to deny Lewis Short at the back post.

But there was heartbreak for Histon in the third minute of added time.

Leek broke down the right and fed a pass in to Saxon in the area.

He got the ball out of his feet to give Roach no chance, and it was virtually the last kick of the game as no sooner had it restarted than the referee blew for full time.

Histon: Roach, Lewis, Ballester, Smith, York, Key, Rolph, Dawkin, Harradine, Swinton, Gould.

Substitutes: Brown (Harradine, 64), Lawal (Smith, 64), Chivers (Rolph, 89). Not used: Peachey, Reed.

Leek Town: Roberts, Ashman, Keenan, Grocott, Harrison, Chadwick, Trickett-Smith, Reeves, Kirby, Bell, Saxon.

Substitutes: Walford (Bell, 74), Grice (Harrison, 74), Short (Trickett-Smith, 84). Not used: Cortes-Smith.

Referee: Thomas Kelly.

Bookings: Histon - Lewis (foul, 14), Key (foul, 80), Dawkin (foul, 88); Leek - None.