Racing Club are pegged back by Atherstone

Atherstone, who came into the game buoyed by an FA Cup win over Redditch, were restricted to few chances in a cagey first half which saw the teams go in goalless at the break.

The second half saw a more positive approach from the hosts with the returning Adam Blake and Harry Jervis taking control of midfield.

From a set-piece midway through the second half, Langmead opened the scoring with a powerful header and he looked odds-on to double the lead but wasted a one-on-one, while Tez Morton failed to convert two good chances.

With ten minutes remaining, Racers were made to pay for their profligacy when Atherstone grabbed an equaliser but manager Michael Hayden refused to be too harsh on his side.

“It was disappointing to concede in that manner, particularly after the way we defended throughout the game,” said Hayden.

“But I won’t criticise anyone for the performance.

“In front of an intimidating crowd and with such a young side, I was delighted with the way we played.”

Racing Club travel to Sphinx S&S tomorrow in the Coventry Charity Cup (1.45pm).

 Two second-half goal earned Racing Club’s youth team a 2-0 Midland Floodlit League win at Evesham.

Skipper Purchase fired home from a well-worked free-kick just a minute after the restart and Spencer Bradley doubled the advantage, heading home Troy Stephens’ cross.