Title favourites Leighton Town came to 'Windsors' for the New year Bank Holiday fixture with a fine record to date and left with all three points in what finished a close score-line. That wasn't the whole story however, as the visitors almost overran their hosts in a first half that saw Rangers' keeper, Connor Hunt make several fine saves to keep Town at bay. Rangers had the first chance in the second minute when former Leighton man, Joe Fitzgerald picked out Liam Enver-Marum with a fine cross, the latter unable to make real contact in front of goal in what looked a fairly easy chance. Town countered and Hunt made the first of many saves with a good stop from a close-range header. A minute later and Hunt made another great stop from close in, this time thought the linesman's flag was raised. Soon after Rangers' skipper, Josh Urquhart, was on hand to cut out another dangerous break by the visitors. At the other end good work from Asher Yearwood set up Kieron Schmidt whose volley cleared the angle of post and bar. With quarter hour played a series of corners for Leighton led to Hunt saving at point blank range, the ball half cleared to the edge of the box. The ball was met superbly by Summerfield who fired a fierce shot onto the underside of the bar, the ball bouncing onto the line and out to safety. It was a real warning for Rangers. Five minutes later and Rangers' Joel Read should hit the target, heading wide from a corner. A short period of inactivity ended with a good break for Town, Hunt racing off his line to save again. Soon after he dealt easily with a clipped shot from the edge of the box. Hunt could do nothing about Leighton's opening goal after a misplaced pass from Ben Sturgess sent Town's leading scorer, Lobjoit, away to round him and slide the ball into an empty net. It was a costly mistake, but Town were well worth their lead as they continued to push for more, breaking from a wasted Rangers free kick, the chance ending with a shot across the face of the Rangers' goal. The visitors turned the screw and Urquhart again did well to clear under pressure. With five minutes to the break Rangers came to life with new boy, Michael Harding, producing a good run and pass to Yearwood, who was denied by a timely tackle. Yearwood was again in the action with a driving run into the Town area where he looked to have been clipped by a late tackle. Had he gone down it could have been interesting! Moments later and Rangers' Ollie Hogg's effort was held by the keeper just before the half-time whistle blew.

It was a slow start to the second half on a quickly deteriorating pitch and the crowd had to wait 15 minutes before they had some excitement. A good move down the Rangers' right saw Yearwood and Harding combine well, with Harding firing a low cross across the face of the Leighton goalmouth. With two Rangers players closing in, the sole Town defender did well to clear for a corner. Two minutes later and a Leighton free kick was curled around the host's wall and around the post. 20 minutes into the half and Hunt again with a superb save to tip the ball onto his post, the rebound cleared by Fitzgerald. Leighton doubled their lead in the 70th minute after a good break. The first shot was blocked with the ball falling to Summerfield who curled a left foot strike just inside the post. Rangers manager, Mark Eaton, introduced Wiktor Makowski and Harry Scott, both of whom made an impact with their pace and athleticism. More good work from Harding, and Yearwood surged onto his pass to score at the near post with a powerful shot, despite the best efforts of Town's keeper. With Yearwood now operating in midfield and the threat of the two substitutes, Rangers looked a better side as Leighton wobbled slightly. It wasn't for long though, after Rangers centre back, Joel Read, was sent off for a foul, adjudged to have prevented a goal scoring opportunity, in the 77th minute. It seemed harsh considering that the foul was committed virtually on the half-way line, and it couldn't have come at a worse time with Rangers in the ascendency. Town wasted no time in making the extra man count, forcing Hunt into another save, the keeper diving low to his left to tip away an angled drive. Despite playing with a man less Rangers continued to push for an equaliser with Yearwood setting up Scott following a great run, the latter shooting over the bar from 15 yards. With a couple of minutes remaining Town were awarded a penalty for a foul by Hunt. Lobjoit's kick was well saved by Hunt, but the kicker was quickly onto the rebound to slam home to make it three-one. Risborough were not finished yet however, and Harding pulled one back, climbing high to head home Scott's free kick at the far post. There was still enough time for Rangers to mount another attack with a dangerous ball in gratefully gathered by Town's keeper as Harding threatened. During time added on the sides were evened up when Leighton's left back, Connolly, was sent off for a second yellow. It was too little too late for Rangers though and despite the home side staging a good late rally, Leighton were worth their win. Rangers showed good spirit in the end though, especially after the substitutions, and there can be plenty to be positive about in the second half. Hopefully they can carry that into Saturday's home fixture against London Colney. Kick off at 'Windsors' is 3pm.

Rangers Man of the Match: Connor Hunt. Some great saves throughout. I can even forgive him for conceding a penalty, and he was unlucky when saving the resultant spot kick only to be beaten by the rebound. Without his fine performance defeat could have been greater.