Bury Town emerged from a five-goal thriller at Bell Close with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Leighton Town, extending their unbeaten run in the Southern League Central Division and leaving the hosts to rue a defensive collapse after a promising start. The match swung one way and then the other, with the visiting side finally edging ahead in the 78th minute after the home team had twice fought back.

An open, end-to-end encounter

Bury Town struck first after just seven minutes, capitalising on a defensive error to slot home from the edge of the box. A patient build-up followed, and Leighton gradually worked their way back into proceedings. Their equaliser came in the 34th minute, a powerful header from a corner that sent the home supporters into raptures. It seemed the sides would go in level at the break, but Bury struck again in first-half stoppage time, regaining the lead with a low finish after a rapid counter-attack.

Leighton's fightback comes up short

Leighton refused to be disheartened and produced a spirited response after the interval. A 55th-minute equaliser from a penalty kick brought the match level for the second time, and Bell Close sensed a famous comeback. The balance of play was firmly with the home side, but against the run of play Bury Town won it in the 78th minute with a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner.

The final ten minutes were frantic, as Leighton threw numbers forward in search of a third equaliser. They forced a string of corners and a dangerous free-kick, but Bury Town's defence held firm to secure all three points in what was the highest-scoring match of the afternoon across the division.

What the result means

• Bury Town: Now sit comfortably in the top five, with 14 goals scored in their opening six fixtures.
• Leighton Town: Despite the defeat, showed fighting spirit and remain in mid-table, just two points off the promotion play-off places.

For the neutral spectator, this was an advertisement for the quality and unpredictability of Step 3 football. Bury Town will carry significant confidence forward, while Leighton's manager will look to tighten up at set-pieces and game management as they prepare for a busy August bank holiday finale.