Late agony for Blues as their season ends with away defeat

LEEK Town concluded their 2024/2025 campaign in the Northern Premier League top flight with a late 2-1 defeat at Gainsborough Trinity.

- By David Burnett

On the day of the Pope's funeral maybe it was written that Trinity, known as the Holy Blues, would win this game.

However, the result was a little harsh on Josh Brehaut’s side who probably deserved a point but once again proved that you cannot afford to switch off in this league, even in a meaningless fixture, with Trinity's winner coming in the 87th minute.

Leek started the game showing two changes to the line up from the previous loss at home to Macclesfield. Olly Heywood had been recalled from his loan spell by Chester City and so Julius Ndene was asked to fill in at left full-back, while Olly Shenton started at the expense of Hayden Campbell.

On a good playing surface Town started the game quite well with Alex Hurst producing a jinking run after four minutes and forcing goalkeeper David Robson into the save whilst Louis Potts tried his luck from 25 yards but was high and wide with his effort.

At the other end the Blues own goalkeeper, Xander Parkes, was called into his first action of the game on seven minutes when a curled ball was played into the path of Gainsboroughs top goalscorer and main man, Declan Howe, and Parkes produced a good save coming out to block with his legs.

Howe was not to be denied, however, and put the Holy Blues ahead after 13 minutes. A pass into the front man saw him take one touch before producing an accurate side footed finished beyond Parke low into the far corner.