Ten-man Brakes within touching distance of Southern League title

Paul Holleran’s men opened up a two-goal cushion thanks to Ricky Johnson and Stefan Moore before Liam Daly’s straight red card early in the second half heralded a fantastic backs-to-the-wall display in the face of ferocious pressure.

Kicking down the slope in the first half, Brakes almost grabbed the lead in their first attack. Richard Batchelor hooked the ball across the goalmouth but Craig Owen was just unable to slide it in at close range.

Leamington were doing the majority of the attacking and were rewarded with the opening goal 20 minutes in.

Johnson was impeded on the right and Stephan Morley played the free-kick to the far post where Liam Daly’s cushioned header across goal left Johnson with the simple task of bundling the ball over the line.

Lee Chilton almost doubled the advantage moments later but found the side netting with a first-time effort.

Moore’s perseverance presented him with the second goal on the half-hour.

Alex Shaftoe’s kicking and handling had looked shaky, and the Chippenham keeper crashed an attempted clearance straight into Moore on the edge of the area, the ball ricocheting kindly back into his path for the striker to roll into an empty net.

The hosts tested Walker for the first time in the 38th minute, Joe McClennan’s low drive being well held by the Brakes custodian.

Chippenham were starting to get back into the game as half-time approached and they emerged from the dressing room in determined fashion after the interval.

Kicking towards their fans, who had now found their voices under cover of the terrace, the first quarter of the second half was like the Alamo as the Bluebirds tested Leamington’s resolve to the limit.

The visitors’ task was made even more difficult when Daly was shown a straight red card for pulling back Tom Knighton as he pounced on Walker’s miscued clearance.

The offence left Brakes a man light for the final 40 minutes, but after weathering the initial storm they were able to settle down and, while there was precious little opportunity for attacking, they kept their shape and composure superbly to frustrate their hosts.

James Mace cleared a shot off the line from Knighton and Chippenham substitute Dean Griffiths forced a save from Walker with a header.

A late effort from James Guthrie was well wide to leave Leamington’s exhausted players and fans anticipating the mother of all promotion parties at Bideford.

Brakes: Laurie Walker, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Craig Owen, Lee Chilton (James Husband, 89), Stefan Moore (Lee Moore, 78), Ricky Johnson (Martyn Naylor, 52), Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Sam Adkins, Niall Cooper.