Brakes spot on to halt winless run

LEAMINGTON chalked up their first win in eight games, coming from behind to beat National League North high-fliers AFC Fylde 2-1.

The Brakes started the stronger but fell behind to a curling effort from leading scorer Nick Haughton on 15 minutes.

Paul Holleran’s side continued to press though with Rackeem Reid, signed from Stourbridge, going close on his home debut and Theo Streete sending an overhead kick over the target.

The game turned on 73 minutes when Fylde’s Connor Barrett was sent off and Leamington made their extra man count just two minutes later when Joe Clarke headed in a corner.

Then, three minutes from time, the Brakes were awarded a penalty for handball and substitute Tom Hewlett fired home from the spot.

Nuneaton Borough’s match with fellow promotion hopefuls Rushall Olympic took star billing in the Southern League Premier Central but it failed to serve up any goals on what proved a feisty affair at Liberty Way.

That was certainly not the case at Stratford Town though as they saw off visitors Needham Market 4-2 with the goals being shared between strike partners Jack Storer and Andre Wright.

Goals from Curvin Ellis and substitutes Liam Murphy and Oliver Babbington helped Bedworth United defeat Gresley Rovers 3-0 in the Northern Premier Midland Division.

Atherstone Town booked their place in the second round of the FA Vase following a 2-1 win at Pershore Town. First-half goals from skipper Jamie Hood and Mitch Piggon set them on their way before Josh Willis replied.

Racing Club Warwick bowed out of the Vase after losing 2-1 at home to Dunkirk while Coventry United needed penalties yesterday to oust visitors Romulus. It ended 3-3 but Kris Roscoe made two saves in the shoot-out as United won 3-1.

The battle at the top of UCL Premier South went the way of Coventry Sphinx who won 2-0 at leaders Rugby Town.

James Bryson opened the scoring just before the hosts had skipper Loyiso Recci sent off at the end of the first half. Rugby had chances to level before Callum Stewart struck again for Sphinx late on.