Leiston returned from a trip to Margate in the Bostik Premier with a hard-earned point.
The Blues travelled in good spirits after two wins from their first two matches. Patrick Brothers came in for Chris Henderson, while Regan Pelling was welcomed back into the 16.
After just three minutes, however, Leiston found themselves a goal down. Marcus Garnham did well to clear a ball but Jack Evans’ lob eluded everyone to nestle into the back of the net.
In fact, the hosts would be the better side for the majority of the half. Margate doubled their advantage when winger Matt Bodkin cut in and powered home beyond Garnham into the far corner.
Garnham kept Leiston in the game with a fine save just before the break. The Blues did go close through Matt Blake but he fired wide of the target.
Leiston came out the blocks the quicker after the interval and after Finch was fouled, Byron Lawrence scored a fabulous free-kick in off the crossbar.
Bullard, Blake and Finch would all have decent chances for the away side, but Leiston would level in stoppage time when Lawrence’s ball into the box was met by the head of Joe Marsden to restore parity and save a point for the away side.
Leiston even pressed for the win but the spoils were shared at the end of the afternoon, meaning the Blues remain unbeaten so far this season.
Elsewhere, Lowestoft claimed their first win of the campaign with a 1-0 win against Worthing, Jake Reed netting the winner.
Trawlerboys’ right-back Callum White said: “The main thing was to get the three points and although in the second half we didn’t really play that well - we got through it and we are up and running.
“Every team is going to have their chances at the end if they are going for it but we managed to hold on – sometimes you have to win ugly – we dug in and defended our box well.”
He added: “We have got our first win now - we need a good performance at Harlow and I am sure the result will take care of itself and then it’s the big one against Leiston.
“We will take every game as it comes.”
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