Ten-man Brakes fall further off the pace

On the face of it, a three-goal defeat at the league leaders does not look like the best way to return to action after a weather-enforced break, but the scoreline does not tell the whole story of a bizarre afternoon for Leamington in Northamptonshire, writes Paul Edwards.

After losing Asa Charlton to a straight red card with only 12 minutes played, Brakes reorganised and stood up to whatever the league leaders threw at them before a slightly fortunate first goal on the hour.

A dubious penalty and a well-taken third flattered Brackley somewhat, given that they had a man advantage for over three-quarters of the game.

The opening exchanges suggested an entertaining afternoon was in prospect. Glenn Walker drove a low effort straight at Nathan Vaughan, while Steve Diggin turned well but also placed the ball too close to the Brakes keeper.

A good exchange between David Kolodynski and Jacob Blyth saw the ball played into the Brackley penalty area and James Mace fed Richard Batchelor, who shot over the bar.

Things began to unravel shortly after Lee Downes had been cautioned for a late challenge.

Charlton slid in on Diggin and appeared to win the ball, putting it out of play. The Brackley player was not injured by the challenge and referee Chris O’Donnell looked to be allowing play to continue until he spotted his assistant flagging. He consulted him and almost immediately brandished the red card.

In response, Paul Holleran withdrew Kolodynski and replaced him with Jamie Hood, making his first appearance since early December.

Walker saw another shot saved by Vaughan before the hosts thought they had opened the scoring, the ball being prodded home after the Leamington keeper had parried a shot, but it had already gone out of play.

Carl Palmer was booked for a challenge on Downes before Brackley had the ball in the net again from a near-post header only to be denied for a second time by a raised flag.