Having dropped two places due to Saturday’s postponement, this defeat was particularly disappointing as we missed a first-half penalty and were a goal ahead with less than 10 minutes to go, with the Leamington winner coming 3 minutes into injury-time.
It was a chilly evening , but fortunately there was none of the wind which has ruined recent games, whilst the pitch was in good condition following a cold, but sunny day, and there was every hope of a entertaining game, the visitors being handily placed just above mid-table with games in hand. James Clark shot weakly straight at the goalkeeper in an early attack, but Tony Breeden sliced the clearance out of play and James ’Rusby’s long throw was headed behind but we soon had a chance when Clark was brought down as he cut inside from the left, but Stefan Brown’s penalty lacked power and direction and Breeden was able to save comfortably. Mike Jones was unlucky with a fierce shot which flew just past the top corner, but the visitors went close when Connor Gudger headed against the bar as the first half came to an end.
With the slope in our favour after the interval we did plenty of attacking without creating a real chance, but made an enforced change when Ian Herring was injured ,the change soon bringing us the opening goal in the 64th.minute, Alan O,Briem breaking down the left and providing the pass which Brown neatly slotted it past the goalkeeper.
We looked fairly comfortable, but did not get the ball away despite several attempted clearances and Courtney Baker-Richardson levelled the scores after 83 minutes with the defenders appealing for offside. Mike Jones was badly injured by a dreadful tackle by Jack Edwards, who was lucky to escape with a yellow card, but with all the subs used, limped on painfully until the end. It was disappointing to concede the equaliser, but worse was to come, for in the 94th. minute, Paul Strudley raced well off his line for a through ball, but was unable to hold on and the ball was touched on to Baker-Richardson, who rolled it into the empty net to give the visitors the points.
Team ;Strudley, Herring(O’ Brien), John, Boardman, Day, Rusby, Tyler , Jones, Jarvis((Draycott), Brown(Goodger), Clark. Subs;Preen, Rees.