SCOTT Easterlow began his reign as Leamington boss with a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Darlington with the Brakes winless in three games.
Easterlow could not halt the club’s slide towards relegation as Cedric Main’s second-half condemned the Brakes to defeat at Blackwell Meadows.
The result means Leamington remain rooted to the bottom of the National League North table.
Easterlow only had one training session with his new players prior to the fixture as he took over from interim boss Chris Knott who has since become joint manager at Easterlow’s former side Racing Club Warwick.
However, Darlington looked to puncture any potential new manager bounce when Will McGowan’s shot struck the arm of Theo Streete in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
But Leamington received a reprieve as Main curled the resulting spot kick wide of the post after Eddie Brearey had guessed the right way.
The two teams went in goalless at the break with Leamington offering little in the way of attacking threat.
Easterlow’s side went close moments after the restart as Darlington goalkeeper Rory Watson dove at the feet of Frank Tattum to prevent the striker from having a clear sight of goal.
However, the home side broke the deadlock on 52 minutes when Main atoned for his missed penalty with a finish from close range after Brearey could only parry Tom Tweedy’s initial effort.
The Brakes rode their luck moments later as Ewan Williams cleared the ball against his own crossbar from inside the six-yard box before Will Glennon blocked Main’s follow-up effort on the line.
The visitors tried to find a way back into the contest as Max Brogan shot straight at Watson from 20-yards while substitute Owen Farmer saw his effort ruled out for offside.
And Leamington had the ball in the Darlington net again in the closing stages but the whistle had already gone for an infringement in the build up as Easterlow’s reign as Brakes boss began with a defeat.
