Leiston had the early chances, with just a few minutes on the board, Seb Dunbar launched a long diagonal cross for Matt Blake to run on to, beating the R's defenders but scuffing his shot wide.

Regent did however work a double chance after 10 minutes, when Connor Hogan got time and space to shoot goalwards, but Marcus Garnham did well to tip over. From the resulting corner Josh Gould had an effort from an acrobatic overhead kick, but that squandered wide.

With 15 minutes on the board, Matt Blake got in behind the defence again, this time from a Robert Eagle pass. Thankfully skipper Matt Cripps read the danger and blocked the effort towards goal.

The deadlock was broken after 27 minutes, when a free kick was conceded on the right flank. Kyle Hammond hit a cross come shot which caught out Sam Cowler and looped straight into the net. A rather fortunate freak goal that deflated the home side. 0-1

Things got worse for the R's when Pip Boyland was forced off before half-time through an injury, and Tom Richardson had a volley with seconds to go but this went wide of the mark. HT 0-1

The visitors looked to sit back and attempt to keep the ball in the second half, inviting Regent forward. Aaron Condon looked to deceive the hosts when he combined with Ricky Griggs from a short corner, as he creeped into the box, his effort was sent into the side netting.

Leiston had a chance to kill the match after 72 minutes, on the counter the Blues rushed forward, the end resulting in a good save by Sam Cowler from a Byron Lawrance effort at goal.

The R's kept pushing for the equaliser, but the men from Suffolk stood firm. Regent substitute Billy Hunt had a chance that went wide, and Tom Richardson forced a comfortable save from Marcus Garnham.

Leiston could have finished the match off late on after Regent committed men, but a poor effort from Christy Finch went high and wide. FT 0-1

Not a start the Regent would have asked for at home but nonetheless lots of positives, the R's just could not get the rub of the green with the chances and just failed to convert one.

We go again on Saturday, as we travel to promotion hopefuls Tonbridge Angels