FOOTBALL

Stephan Morley in action at North Ferriby. Picture: Sally Ellis

The loss brought to an end a sequence of results which had seen Brakes pick up nine points from nine in the league and reach the last 32 of the FA Trophy.

After a 2-1 win at AFC Telford which Holleran hailed as “possibly the best result for the club since they reformed”, Brakes were undone by three first-half goals in East Yorkshire.

A Stefan Moore strike gave the visitors a glimmer of hope but that was quickly extinguished as North Ferriby striker Nathan Jarman scored his second of the night nine minutes into the second half.

And, following on from a midweek visit to Northwich and a spell of playing with ten men at Telford, Holleran said the North Ferriby trip was a game too far.

“We looked leggy and flat,” said Holleran. “There was an element of us not being at it, but they battered us into submission.

“Their front two gave an exhibition with their pace and movement - Josh Green’s head was spinning when he came off.

“Sometimes you have to put your hands up. They were the better team in every department and on that performance the best team we have come across this season.

“We’re aware that can happen now and again in this league with the quality of players involved and we’ll take it on the chin and move on.”

Brakes are back on the road tomorrow when they travel to Conference South side Dover in the second round of the FA Trophy.

Dover are enjoying quite a year in cup competitions having also reached the second round of the FA Cup before going down 1-0 to MK Dons.

However, Holleran believes the North Ferriby blip aside, Leamington’s form going into the game should ensure the trip to Kent holds no fears.

“We’ll take our points return from the last few weeks and as poor as we were on Tuesday night we were impressive last Saturday (at Telford).

“There were some massive performances, good decision-making, good goals and good support - it was a great afternoon.

“It hasn’t been a bad ten days, what with the Northwich win, and with a few days rest we’ll be able to give it a real big effort at Dover.”