Fakenham 1

Leyton 1

(FA Cup qualifying)

HAVING produced an inept performance during the week at in-form Enfield Town, Leyton improved immensely on Saturday, as a gritty and determined effort saw them take this FA Cup first qualifying round fixture against Fakenham to a replay.

Just as the encounter appeared to be drifting towards a goalless first half, Town broke down the left flank in the 44th minute and Delicata met a near-post cross with his head, guiding the ball into the far corner.

With only a minute elapsed of the second half Leyton's Wood was pushed in the box. Referee O'Sullivan straight away awarded Leyton a penalty, which skipper Dave Reilly ballooned over the bar.

After 51 long minutes, Leyton finally got back on level terms. Awarded a corner on the right hand side, Hassan's delivery was met at the near post by Reilly who amended for his earlier error by flicking the ball over the line.

With nine minutes to go, the ever aggressive Curley got involved in a skirmish in the Fakenham area, during which the home centre half butted the Leyton man and the ref immediately produced a red card.

Though both teams had their chances in the closing stages, neither could convert them and Leyton will have been pleased to live to fight another day.