Ten-man Brakes in the comfort zone after Totton three points

Richard Batchelor looks on as James Mace jockeys AFC Tottons Chris Mason during Saturdays clash at Testwood Stadium. Picture: Sally Ellis

Despite being a man light in the second half after the sending-off of Jamie Hood, nervous moments were few and far between and Brakes could, and should, have added to their tally.

Paul Holleran’s side made the perfect start, opening the scoring inside the first minute with Richard Batchelor thumping in a close-range header from a free-kick.

Ricky Johnson then hooked in a shot that Totton keeper Gareth Barfoot held in front of the advancing Lee Chilton.

Jonathan Davies registered the home side’s first effort on goal with a low drive which was saved by Laurie Walker before Carl Pettefer headed wide.

Johnson was inches from scoring a second for Leamington when his header from Craig Owen’s cross rattled the bar.

Matt Dodd was then sent crashing to the turf on the right edge of the penalty area by an uncompromising challenge.

During the break in play, Totton keeper Barfoot aimed some unnecessary comments towards one of the travelling supporters and was then involved in an angry exchange with another.

This may have caused him to lose concentration as he was left with egg on his face when Johnson headed the free-kick on for Stefan Moore to glance into the net.

More good work from Moore and Dodd won a corner, from which Liam Daly headed over, and a gilt-edged chance went begging when Johnson was unable to convert his strike partner’s inch-perfect cross with the goal gaping.

With Brakes dominant, Totton were handed a lifeline when Hood was dismissed for handling after the ball was blasted into him at close range. However, Richard Gillespie’s spot-kick was well read by Walker, who saved superbly.

Moore perhaps should have bagged his second of the game early in the second half as he ran clear again but he held up play a little too long, allowing Totton to regroup and block his route to goal.

Apart from a spell when Walker was forced to save a couple of good efforts, the hosts struggled to break down the ten men of Leamington, who were resolute in defence and continued to work hard to create openings.

Substitute James Husband cracked a vicious swerving effort into the side netting, and while a late strike from Totton substitute Stefan Brown was saved by Walker, it would have been no more than a consolation.

AFC Totton: Gareth Barfoot, Matt Oldring, Baily Cargill (Stefan Brown, 57), Ross Bottomley, Luke Whitley, Craig Feeney, Carl Pettefer, Jonathan Davies, Chris Mason, Richard Gillespie, Michael Gosney. Subs not used: Luke Roberts, Jamie Rudd, Chris Ferrett, Ross Casey.

Brakes: Laurie Walker, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Craig Owen, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Matt Dodd (James Husband, 78), Lee Chilton, Stefan Moore (Lee Moore, 76), Ricky Johnson (Martyn Naylor, 46), Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Sam Adkins, Niall Cooper.