After seven straight defeats, Sittingbourne were looking for something out of this game to get their season restarted. In the end they gained a point and were unlucky not to get all three, particularly because Referee Mr Mays, somehow found reason to play five minutes of added on time and St Leonard's equalised in the fourth of those.
Sittingbourne went into this match still lacking key players. Captain, Roy Clarke was suspended and forwards, Mark Miller, Marvin Neufville and Richard Sinden are still out injured. Interestingly, after resigning last week, Steve Wren was back alongside Hughie in the Sittingbourne dug-out.
The St Leonard's pitch looked heavy and has a distinct slope that Sittingbourne had to play up in the first half and a good job they made of it too! St Leonard's hardly had an attacking look in and Sittingbourne had the best chances. Beal had a shot blocked, Griffin had a shot pushed around a post and Neil Miller had a downwards headers cleared.
After just five minutes, St leonards could have been down to ten men when Keith Miles, just back from injury, launched two footed at Griffin - the sort of tackle that had Neil Miller sent off last week. This time the Referee saw fit to only give Miles a caution.
St Leonard's first effort on the Bourne goal came after 38 minutes when Chatelier got through the defence and Creed saved at the second attempt.
Four minutes later, Tyrone King should have scored when a good cross from Harrison found him but his placed shot was saved by Bannatyne in the St Leonard's goal.
The half ended with a long range shot from Miles being saved at the second attempt by Creed.
St Leonard's came out for the second half with more determination. Creed had to punch out an effort but Sittingbourne were still dangerous. Harrison crossed a ball that was only just out of the reach of Spice and then Berry blasted just over after good work from Miller.
The play was end to end. Chatelier hit a post from five yards out (although the Assistant Referee had his flag up for off-side) and, after 61 minutes Creed was in a good position to save from the same player. Creed was again in action seven minutes later when he pushed a shot from Boeteng around a post.
Hughie Stinson made two changes after 70 minutes. Beal and King made way for Russell and ex Charlton player, Paul Campbell. Almost immediately, from a Harrison corner, Miller put Sittingbourne in front when his far post header crept into the St Leonard's goal. Russell could then have increased the lead when, with only the keeper to beat, his tame shot was easily gathered - perhaps a pass to Spice, unmarked in the centre of the penalty area, might have been a better move.
Sittingbourne were having trouble with Chatterer's prowess in the air and in the 84th minute he beat all their defenders but headed wide of the Bourne goal.
In the 90th minute, Campbell somehow deflected a goalbound shot over the bar and it looked like Sittingbourne had a valuable three points. They could not, however, account for all the time Mr Hayes decided to add on for injury for in the 94th minute, Chatelier beat the defence in the air again and his header found Eriemo who headed into the Bourne goal for St Leonard's equaliser.
St Leonard's then launched another dangerous attack that was repelled by Creed when he raced out of his goal and headed clear.
There were good performances from Griffin and especially (yet again) Neil Miller - we are really going to miss him as he is suspended for the next three games. In fact it's almost unfair to pick out anyone as everybody fought well for the Brickies cause.
Bradley Spice ended the game limping - lets hope that he is Ok for the important FA Youth Cup First Round Replay against Woking at Central park on Wednesday night (7:45pm Kick-Off). It will be well worth seeing if its as exciting as the first game!
So, Sittingbourne bring back a valuable point from St Leonard's and move up one place to 17th in the table. They still badly need extra points, however, as some of the teams below them are beating teams way above them. A good case in point is Corby's shock defeat of Hastings. (See todays results).