Racing Club Warwick 1 Southam United 2: Derby honours for Southam thanks to brace from Farrell

Jake Brown levelled for Racing Club before Connoll Farrells second of the game sealed the victory for Southam.

The first encounter between these two sides at Banbury Road in August had been an explosive affair when, having been the better side in the opening half, Saints lost their way as well as two players to red cards in the second, as Racing Club fought back to earn a 2-2 draw.

This time, it was Racing Club who saw red as Jamie Hancocks was sent off in the 42nd minute after kicking out at Jack Brighton.

With manager Michael Hayden still recovering from knee surgery, assistants Bobby Hancocks and Adeel Mamood took charge in the Racing Club dugout and they almost saw their side take a second-minute lead when Antonio Neto was clean though, but he put his shot wide of the Saints goal.

Brighton had the first chance for the visitors in the eighth minute but could not find the target and then Louis Bridges set up Lee Thomas who beat keeper Conal Dowling, only for the ball to be cleared off the line.

Saints almost gifted Racing Club two goals, with Tom Cross saving the first and then Neto failing to take advantage of the second.

A low Thomas cross then picked out Mark Bellingham, but Dowling was equal to the task.

Bridges went close from a long Tom Cross free-kick and, on the stroke of half-time, Bellingham headed just over.

Saints took a deserved lead two minutes into the second half when Connoll Farrell jinked past several defenders and around Dowling to slot into an empty net.

However, the lead did not last long as Racing Club were back on level terms in the 53rd minute, Jake Brown conjuring a goal out of nowhere.

Josh Smith sent a long-distance shot just wide as Saints looked to respond before Bridges also missed the target when well placed.

Thomas set up Farrell with another good chance but the former Coventry Copsewood hitman could notkeep his shot down.

Sixty seconds later, Farrell was denied by the post, but he got his second in the 68th minute, latching on to a Thomas corner at the far post to thump the ball past Dowling.

Saints should have had a third when, with the clock ticking down, Bellingham was denied by the post, but they had done enough to secure their seventh win in their last eight matches.

Tomorrow, Southam are at home to Alvis Sporting (3pm), while Racing Club make the short trip to Littleton, whose early season form has tailed off in recent weeks.