Mark Bellingham scored his secoond hat-trick in as many games as Jason Cadden's side beat Leighton for the first time in four attempts, despite playing for an hour with ten men following the dismissal of Adam Cooper.

Having missed out on the play-offs, Leighton were keen to finish with a win over the champions. They looked well set when Dennis Fennemore opened the scoring with a 28th-minute penalty following a foul for which centre-back Cooper was dismissed.

Brakes were level within five minutes when Bellingham headed Jai Stanley's right-sided cross beyond keeper Lee Clark.

That seemed to draw Leighton's sting and they found themselves behind on 39 minutes through Chris Murphy's first-time shot from a good James Husband ball.

The game wasn't up though - Leighton levelled it four minutes into the second half. Liam Hatch tucked away the rather soft goal on the rebound after the ball had cannoned off Chris Kiely's right-hand post.

There was only one team in it after that. Brakes re-took the lead with an hour gone, Bellingham clipping the ball past the keeper after Josh Blake had headed on a clearance from captain Martin Hier.

By this time Leamington looked threatening every time they went forward, causing panic in the home defence.

Jai Stanley left the field to a raucous ovation, to be replaced by Luke Corbett. The hungry-looking forward played a big part in Brakes' fourth goal on 75 minutes, picking up a stray pass on the right.

His cross just missed Blake's head but was picked up at the back post by Bellingham and he laid off the ball to Husband for a powerful strike through the crowded penalty area.

On-loan Gillingham keeper Kiely received a deserved ovation as he was replaced by the returning Richard Morris for the closing minutes. Mykel Beckley also came on to give fresh options at the other end of the field.

Bellingham forced the ball over the line for his sixth hat-trick of a prolific season on 88 minutes. Whether or not he stays at the club, his place in supporters' affections is ensured for all time.

Leamington: Chris Kiely (Richard Morris 75), Chris Murphy, Martin Hier (capt], Adam Cooper, Guy Sanders, Marcus Jackson, Stuart Herlihy, Jai Stanley (Luke Corbett 69), Josh Blake (Mykel Beckley 81), Mark Bellingham, James Husband. Subs not used: Reis Ashraf, Liam Reynolds. Attendance: 288.