DEBUTANT goalkeeper Ellis Litherland starred as Bromsgrove Sporting battled to a 1-1 draw away at Leiston.
Sporting led at the break courtesy of Luke Softley’s goal shortly before half time at Victory Road.
However, Harvey Sayer drew Leiston level early in the second period before Litherland’s heroics preserved a point for the Rouslers.
The result means Bromsgrove sit 16th in the Southern League Premier Central table, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Sporting went close early on as Tyrone Lewthwaite fired a shot into the side-netting after cutting in from the left-hand side of the penalty area.
At the other end, Litherland, who recently joined the club on a one-month loan deal from Huddersfield Town, made his first stop before Softley cleared an effort off the line.
However, Sporting broke the deadlock on 42 minutes when Softley headed in Brad Stretton’s cross from the right at the back post from close range.
Leiston equalised five minutes after half time as Sayer fired a low shot through a couple of bodies and into the net from inside the box.
The home side almost completed the turnaround when Eddie Jackson hit the post while Litherland denied Sayer a second goal.
Litherland then kept out shots from Ronnie Blois and Adam Mills while Jack Newell spurned a golden chance for Sporting at the other end.
And the Rouslers almost snatched the points when George Wynne fired a shot inches past the post from distance.
Sporting stopper Litherland saved his best save until last as the young goalkeeper bravely charged down Joao Rangel’s close-range effort at the death.
Bromsgrove are next in action against Alvechurch on Tuesday, February 17 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Victoria Ground.
