Hard-earned away draw for Ampthill at Leighton Town Reserves

The Amps showed plenty of resilience after their weekend defeat at Irchester and came back from Bell Close with a well deserved point against a young home side.

Town battled hard in the first period on a difficult surface and there were few openings to test either keeper.

But Ampthill stepped up a gear after the break and had much the better of the game and, while the home keeper was kept busy, Mitch Howe saved the day for Ampthill again when he pulled off a brilliant save from Dave Opuku's late penalty.

Honours were even after Town's second midweek draw in a week and now they have two home games with their last weekend home clash coming against Huntingdon followed by a visit from top five outfit Moulton on Tuesday.

Ampthill had opened their March fixtures with a defeat in Northants and they ended the month on Saturday with another reverse in the county when Irchester proved too good with three second half goals securing a 4-2 win.

Town were unbeaten in their last four games with a win and three draws but the hosts were keen to ensure a play off place and they did the double over the Amps.

The Romans took the lead on 25 minutes when Jim Fisher and Connor Bailey combined for Bailey to fire the first goal past Howe.

The Amps had chances before the break with a header saved from a free kick and another shot sliced wide.

But Town made a good start to the second period when James Young floated the ball in direct from a corner inside the first five minutes.

Kobi Bivens then put his side ahead on 55 minutes when he shot home from a corner after Howe made a good save from Bailey.

And Jim Harley increased the lead with a fierce drive on 70 minutes before Reece Watson extended the lead with a header late in the game.

Sam Holmes took advantage of poor defending to pull one back but Town were outplayed by the top five outfit.

The Amps were in action last Wednesday but drew 1-1 with basement club London Colney who played at Cheshunt.

Town dictated the first half and went in front at the break through Sam Holmes goal after good work by Sam Oyediran.

Town were denied by the woodwork and missed opportunities before paying the price in the second half when London Colney put in a better display and grabbed the leveller from Alekos Lambrou.