LEAMINGTON’S promotion hopes suffered another blow after the Brakes rescued a late point in a 2-2 draw with struggling Long Eaton United.
Cally Stewart’s 88th minute penalty earned a point for Paul Holleran’s side after Tyrone Barnett opened the scoring early in the second half at Grange Park.
The result means Leamington sit sixth in the Southern League Premier Central table, two points outside of the play-off places.
After a drab first half, the game exploded into life on 49 minutes when Barnett finished Dan Meredith’s low cross at the back post just moments after Adam Walker saw his header cleared off the line.
However, Long Eaton equalised five minutes later as Jamie Hanson bravely headed home a cross from the right to draw the home side level.
Brakes goalkeeper Callum Hawkins made a superb save with his legs to deny substitute Andy Kanga when one-on-one soon after before Stewart headed inches wide at the other end.
Long Eaton completed the turnaround on 65 minutes after Hawkins parried Jack Rogers’ effort onto the post and Kanga finished into an empty net from close range.
The Brakes searched for an equaliser as Henry Landers forced Ross Durrant into a fine save to keep out his glancing header.
And the visitors then won a penalty with two minutes left to play, after Josh Quaynor drew a foul in the box, as Stewart sent Durrant the wrong way from the spot to rescue a point for the Brakes.
Leamington are next in action at home to Hitchin Town on Saturday, March 16 with kick-off at 3pm at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
