LEAMINGTON slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Southport as the Brakes suffered their first loss on the road this season.
Niall Watson’s early goal handed Southport the points at Haig Avenue with Leamington involved in a game with a 1-0 scoreline for the fifth successive fixture.
The result leaves the Brakes in seventh place in the National League North table after nine matches.
And Southport made the most of their good start when Watson powered a close range header past Callum Hawkins on 15 minutes from Tyler Walton’s inviting right-wing cross.
The Brakes almost drew level through Simeon Maye when his low effort went inches past the post in a half of few chances.
Keenan Quansah screwed a shot wide of the target for the home side before Dan Turner failed to trouble Cam Mason in the Southport goal at the other end.
Leamington spurned another good opening when Jack Edwards volleyed narrowly wide from Dan Meredith’s cross.
However, Southport almost doubled their lead in the second period when Watson fired into the side netting before Hawkins made a brave save with his face which required treatment.
And Leamington’s chances of drawing level were dealt a blow when Turner was forced off with an injury after he took a tumble in the Southport penalty area.
Substitute Junior English blazed an effort well over the crossbar as the Brakes struggled to break down a stubborn Southport defence before Jordan Archer headed narrowly wide at the far post at the other end.
The Brakes missed a glorious opportunity to equalise when substitute Kieran Cook pulled the ball back to Alex Prosser only for his half-volley to travel inches past the post.
Southport missed one last chance to put the game to bed when they failed to capitalise on a five-on-two situation as Hawkins made a fine save before the Brakes scrambled the ball to safety.
Leamington are next in action away at Hereford TONIGHT (Tuesday, September 27) with kick-off at 7.45pm at Edgar Street.
