Holleran focuses on a positive point

An intriguing contest between two well-matched sides simmered rather than sizzled on Saturday, with both managers taking positives from the stalemate.

For Brakes it meant a return of four points from six since their FA Cup exit at Daventry.

It also saw them close the gap on three of their promotion rivals, with AFC Totton, Stourbridge and Cambridge City all going down to defeats at the weekend.

And, with a home clash with Bashley to come tomorrow, Leamington could be firmly established in the play-off places when they head to Romulus for their FA Trophy opener on Saturday week.

“I’m not disappointed at all,” said Holleran. “It’s been a good bounce- back for us after last Saturday. It would have been lovely to nick the three points - I think we just about edged it.

“Brackley look solid this season, they look more like a non-league team.

“I think they’ll be up there, but it’s been a good week for us.”

Visiting boss Jon Brady also saw it as a point gained but believed it could have been three after Brackley had a Brett Solkhon header chalked off for offside midway through the first half.

“In the end a point is quite pleasing, although we do feel that it’s maybe been taken away from us a little with that decision,” said Brady.

“But you can’t dwell on the negatives, you have to look at the positives.

“I’ve told the lads they have battled well to get a point because not many teams come here and get anything.”

The disallowed header apart, Brackley rarely threatened, with the home fans’ greatest cause for alarm stemming from a lofted free-kick which Tony Breeden let slip through his grasp. However, Liam Daly was on hand to avert the danger.

Brakes enjoyed their best spell in the 20 minutes following the interval, but despite their territorial advantage, goalscoring chances were at a premium.

Craig Owen nudged the ball wide after nipping in front of the keeper following a James Mace overlap, while a couple of handball appeals in the box came to nothing.

Jacob Blyth joined David Kolodynski and Mace in the book following an aerial challenge which left Chris Wilmott needing treatment and Alex Taylor was next to join them after kicking the ball away following a Jefferson Louis tumble.

Taylor was denied at the far post by a superb challenge by Josh Green as he looked to convert a Kolodysnki cross in the 77th minute, but despite plenty of huff and puff from both sides, the game was crying out for a moment of inspiration.

That nearly came in the 89th minute when Brakes were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out.

Taylor stepped up to curl the dead ball around the wall, but Brackley keeper Paul Walker was equal to it, tipping it over the bar in the last meaningful action of the game.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, James Mace, Asa Charlton, Lee Downes , Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Craig Owen, Alex Taylor, Jacob Blyth, David Kolodynski, Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Tom Berwick, James Husband, Sam Adkins, Michael Tuohy, Dior Angus.

Brackley Town: Paul Walker, Ellis Myles, Tommy Jaszcun (Chris Wilmott, 33), Carl Palmer, Josh Green, Tom Kemp, Owen Story (Elliot Sandy, 82), Brett Solkhon, Steve Diggin, Michael Chennells (Jefferson Louis, 64), Tom Winter. Subs not used: Paul Dempsey Joe Magunda.