With time up, the Moorlanders needed to clear the ball from a lineout on their own five metre line, but it went loose, evaded scrum half Joe Byrne's despairing dive and was touched down by the alert opposition winger, giving the visitors a scarcely-deserved 26-27 win.

Two bonus points will feel like scant reward for a Leek side who took the game to their high-flying visitors and very nearly pulled off the shock of the season.

Second half tries from Will Midwinter (2), Joe Gorman and Joe Newton-Taylor had seen Leek take the lead, having trailed 0-15 at half time.

The blue and whites thought they should have had two more - Will Midwinter's score in the corner in the first period was ruled out because the referee had already blown for some handbags among the forwards behind the play. And Byrne's sprint to touch down a kick deep into the in goal area was in vain as the referee ruled the ball had touched the dead ball line.

Leek spurned other chances, too. Wing Kin Critchlow was held up over the line, three attacking lineouts were wasted due to the throw-ins not being straight and the ball squirted out the side of a five-metre attacking scrum.

The Moorlanders had gone behind to an early penalty, and Anselmians' fast game, with quick ball from the ruck and hard straight running, looked like it would be difficult to contain. A converted try and a five-pointer gave the visitors a flattering lead at the break, as Leek had had plenty of possession and opportunities of their own.

A change of tactics after the break saw Leek playing Saints at their own game, quick ball off the top of the lineout and from the ruck leading to rapid passing along the back line. Midwinter's interception got them on the board and Joe Gorman added a second in the corner shortly after. Byrne's conversion, which ultimately would have made the difference, hit the post and bounced out - his only miss of the match.

Midwinter's second, again in the right hand corner, gave Leek the lead for the first time. Anselmians responded quickly with a well-taken try and conversion, but the blue boys could sense an upset and skipper Joe Newton-Taylor crashed over from short range to reclaim the lead, only to lose it again on the last play.

With bonus points claimed against each of the top three teams in the league in the past three weeks, a similar performance next time out against Stoke should surely see the Moorlanders claim their first win of the season.