Stamford AFC are beaten by Leiston in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Stamford were leapfrogged by Leiston in the Southern League Premier Division Central standings after a two-goal home loss to the Suffolk side on Saturday.

Goals at either end of the contest from Ben Fowkes and Adam Mills moved the Blues up into sixth spot as the Daniels dropped down to ninth place.

They are now four points adrift of the play-off places after failing to make it a hat-trick of league wins following successes over AFC Sudbury and Bromsgrove Sporting.

Manager Graham Drury named an unchanged starting eleven from last week's win over Bromsgrove with Jon Challinor taking a place on the bench.

Leiston took the lead after just five minutes when Fowkes received the ball on the edge of the box and his shot beat Tom Jackson at the near post.

The visitors almost doubled their lead a minute later when George Quantrell attacked up the right and attempted to lob Jackson but the ball went wide of the far post.

Stamford looked to respond and Jack Duffy fired a shot wide of the goal.

Duffy then had another effort but the shot went over the bar.

If Stamford were going to get a goal back it was likely to come from Duffy as he had another header saved by Marcus Mehew in the Leiston goal.

Just before half-time, Jamar Loza took a free kick and his effort went just wide of Jackson's far post.

Stamford came out with increased intensity after the break and Duffy had a shot which cannoned off the crossbar in the opening couple of minutes of the half.

A cross from Lee Shaw then found Jordon Cooke at the back post but his effort went just wide of the upright.

The Daniels then almost laid siege to the Leiston goal as they forced a series of corners and James Blunden had an effort cleared off the line before Ashton Offler saw a header deflected over the bar.

Stamford also had strong claims for a penalty when Shaw appeared to have been fouled in the area but, despite the protests, the referee was unmoved.

Joe Burgess had a shot saved by Mehew before the Daniels had a goal ruled out.

Richard Gregory poked the ball into the net from close range, but the referee ruled it out for a foul on the Leiston keeper.

Cooke then had another chance when he placed a header over the bar from a corner.

As Stamford looked for a leveller, Leiston were dangerous on the break.

Substitute Adam Mills broke free of the Daniels back line but as he attempted to score his effort lacked power and was easily saved.

With full time approaching, the visitors grabbed a second when Mills met a corner from Fraser Alexander and his header just evaded the grasp of Jackson.

Stamford - who make the trip to St Ives on Saturday in the league - had their Lincolnshire Senior Cup semi-final at Cleethorpes Town on Tuesday night postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.