ROB Evans scored his second goal in as many games as Leamington battled to a 1-0 home win against play-off hopefuls Halesowen Town.
Evans lashed home the winning goal on 61 minutes at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium as the Brakes stretched their unbeaten run to five matches.
The result means Leamington sit fifth in the Southern League Premier Central table, three points clear of closest challengers Redditch United in the race for a play-off place.
Match-winner Evans almost gifted Halesowen the opening goal early on when his backwards header dropped short of goalkeeper Callum Hawkins only for Dan Meredith to make a crucial block.
The Brakes responded with a chance of their own as Cally Stewart cut in from the left before curling a short inches wide of the post with Yeltz goalkeeper Daniel Platt at full stretch.
After the break, Kieren Donnelly headed Reece Mitchell’s cross over the bar after good work from Miracle Okafor.
However, Leamington took the lead just past the hour mark when Evans reacted quickest to lash the ball past Platt after the Halesowen keeper could only push Tyrone Barnett’s initial header into the former’s path.
The home side looked to extend their lead when Jack Edwards headed the ball into the path of Stewart who fired an instinctive effort over the crossbar on the turn.
And the Brakes spurned another chance to seal the points soon after as Platt superbly kept out Stewart’s first time effort from Henry Landers’ cutback before also denying Adam Walker moments later.
At the other end Caine Elliott volleyed the ball into the side netting as the home side held on to secure the points.
Leamington are next in action away at AFC Telford United on Saturday, April 6 with kick-off at 3pm at New Bucks Head.
