JACK Edwards’ second-half goal rescued a point for Leamington against 10-man Stratford Town as the first Warwickshire derby of the season ended in a 1-1 draw.
Edwards scored just three minutes after coming off the bench following Riley O’Sullivan’s opener for the Bards while the visitors had Charlie Dowd sent off just before half time at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
That came after Cally Stewart scored the only goal at St Ives Town’s Westwood Road ground to secure Leamington’s first away win of the season.
The results mean the Brakes sit 13th in the Southern League Premier Central table.
Despite making a strong start against Stratford, the visitors took the lead on 22 minutes when O’Sullivan’s half volley beat Brakes keeper Callum Smith at his near post.
However, the game turned in Leamington’s favour on the stroke of half time after Stratford midfielder Dowd saw red for needlessly kicking out at Ben Usher-Shipway.
The Brakes struggled to make the man advantage count before substitute Edwards stabbed the ball home on 69 minutes after Stratford failed to clear their lines at a free-kick.
And despite dominating the final 20 minutes, Leamington were unable to find a winner as the derby ended all square.
That came after the Brakes claimed a much-needed victory against St Ives as Stewart’s scrappy goal on 53 minutes brought an end to Leamington’s three-game winless run.
Stewart’s close range header proved decisive after a game of pinball broke out in the St Ives penalty area which included the home side clearing the ball against their own post.
Leamington are next in action at home to Coleshill Town on Saturday, September 2 with kick-off at 3pm at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
