Stamford AFC draw with Leamington in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Stamford produced a cracking comeback to secure a share of the spoils in their Southern League clash with Leamington on Saturday.

The Daniels looked to be heading for their third successive defeat in all competitions when Tyrone Barnett and Henry Landers struck twice in five second half minutes to put the visitors in control.

However, substitute Connor Bartle stepped off the substitutes' bench to rifle home superb free-kick and cut the deficit with nine minutes remaining.

Bartle then provided the cross for fellow replacement Jack Duffy to turn home the equaliser with just two minutes of the match remaining to earn Stamford a deserved point.

There were three changes to the Stamford starting line-up following last weekend's FA Trophy defeat with Billy Bennett, Mike Armstrong and Tom Siddons coming in for Bartle, Trey Charles and Duffy.

Leamington - who were relegated from the National League North last season - included former Peterborough United striker Barnett in their attack.

Stamford had gone into the match looking for a response after last week's exit from the FA Trophy and they started on the offensive.

Siddons sent an early effort over the Leamington crossbar before the Stamford striker saw a header deflected wide for a corner.

Lively link-up play between Siddons and Lee Shaw created the next opening but the former's low drive was well saved by visiting goalkeeper Callum Hawkins.

The Daniels were then forced into a reshuffle after 20 minutes when full-back Joe Burgess had to go off injured,

But they continued to create the show more attacking enterprise with Siddons seeing a shot blocked after Shaw and Tendai Chitiza had combined well.

Leamington began to show more of an attacking threat as the first half wore on with Henry Landers seeing a free-kick deflected narrowly over the home crossbar.

Home goalkeeper Michael Duggan then excelled with a terrific reaction save to keep out Barnett's downward header before the ex-Posh forward sent a rasping drive just wide of the Stamford goal as the opening period finished all square.

Stamford looked to seize the initiative after the restart with Shaw just falling to get on the end of a Brown-Hill cross in the early exchanges.

Landers dragged a shot wide of the far post at the other end before Chitiza's fierce strike brought a fine fingertip save out of Hawkins.

It was a vital stop as moments later Leamington hit the front with Barnett heading home at the back post for the opening goal after 65 minutes.

The visitors' second goal followed five minutes later as the ball was pulled back into the path of Landers whose strike was deflected past Duggan.

It looked like game over for the Daniels as they briefly lost their way before Bartle's brilliant hit from outside the area cut the deficit.

With the fireworks just starting at a nearby display, Stamford had rocketed themselves back into the contest.

And their equaliser arrived eight minutes later as Bartle's low cross was turned home by Duffy for the equaliser.

The momentum was now with Stamford and, although a winner proved elusive, they would gladly have taken a point at the 80th minute mark of the game.

Stamford: Duggan, Burgess (Brown-Hill), Bennett (Bartle), Armstrong, Offler, Blunden, Chitiza, Morgan, Siddons, Vince, Shaw (Duffy). Subs not used: Glennon, Charles.

Leamington: Hawkins, Meredith, Quaynor, Clarke, Streete, Lane, Landers, Walker, Stewart (Shorrock), Barnett, Williams. Subs not used: Medrano, Pheasey, English, Naylor.

Attendance: 356.