Horncastle Town incurred the wrath of Lincolnshire League leaders Ruston Sports, going down 4-2 away from home.

Ruston had lost their unbeaten league record, following a 4-0 defeat Sleaford in midweek, but returned to winning ways against Town, who threw away a two-goal lead they had earned at the break, writes Lloyd Harmston.

However, not for the first time, the result did not tell the whole story of the game.

"Our first-half performance was probably the best I have seen by a Town side since returning as manager," said manager Paul Johnson.

"We were superb, in fact there was only one team in it, and our 2-0 lead at the break could so easily have been doubled."

Richard Jackson had a fine match, playing just behind striker Michael Harness while Matt Low caused all sorts of problems to the home defence.

The two goals came from Chris Johnson and Jackson as Town dominated play.

Not for the first time, finishing off after creating good openings was a frustration for the side as other chances came and went, chances that were to come back and haunt in the latter stages of the contest.

Johnson admitted that the only difference this season is the lack of a genuine goalscorer, someone with the instincts of a natural predator.

Rustons scored four times in the second half, yet still Horncastle played well enough up to the danger area.

Even at 2-2, Town mustered several more scoring chances, only one of which actually made the goalkeeper work.

Skipper Chris Johnson, playing in defence all season, is currently the joint leading goal-scorer alongside the now-departed Terry Marshall.

By their own admission after the game, Rustons had been allowed to get out of jail. They had been over-run in the first half but had enough rub of the green after the break to turn things around.

Interestingly, there is a chance to set the record straight this Saturday when the Lincoln side come to The Wong for the return league fixture.

Meanwhile, there is a game under the lights tonightagainst CGB Humbertherm (7.45pm). While Rustons remain top of the league, Humbertherm are comfortably placed in mid-table, having lost their opening three games but remain undefeated since then. Town meanwhile, have slipped to 11th.