​FA Cup dismay for Brakes as Harborough progress

Harborough went in front on 23 minutes as the Brakes created openings but couldn’t score before the break, and despite an improved second half performance the frustration was palpable both on and off the pitch.

Josh Quaynor’s free kick that just cleared the crossbar was the first effort on goal for either side, on ten minutes. Joe Doyle-Charles then cracked a first time strike towards goal that took multiple deflections before landing safely in the arms of Bees keeper Elliott Taylor.

Cally Stewart was presented with a glorious opportunity to fire Leamington in front but he placed his shot straight at Taylor.

The only goal of the afternoon arrived on 23 minutes. A corner was only half cleared to the edge of the box, where Ben Starkie rifled it back towards goal with a fierce left footed drive that whistled into thre bottom corner.

Leamington made a much better start to the second half, and Stewart struck a free kick goalbound after a handball, but the strike was matched by the save from Taylor.

Skipper Adam Walker drove a low strike just wide, while Ewan Williams was a little more off beam with a volley. Hawkins was forced into another flying save to keep his side in the tie, while Brakes substitute Tim Berridge almost scored his first Leamington goal just seconds after entering the action, sending a looping header towards the top corner only to see Taylor paw the ball behind.

Substitute Rob Evans was then denied by a combination of the crossbar and the fingertips of Taylor. Harborough broke quickly from this, Ben Stephans and Kai Tonge combining, but the latter blazed his shot high over the bar.

Leamington were applying some good pressure now, but with time running out it was becoming more desperate. Edwards had the last clear cut chance, sending a good header spinning just wide from a great ball in by Williams, but Harborough stuck to their guns and deservedly saw the game out.

Leamington next host Scarborough in the league on Saturday.