LEAMINGTON’S return to the National League North began with a last gasp 2-1 defeat away at Buxton on the opening day of the season.
The Brakes looked set to come away with a point after Cally Stewart cancelled out Tom Elliott’s opener only for Ben Sault to win the game for Buxton four minutes into injury time at The Silverlands.
And the defeat is Leamington’s first on the opening day of the season for 10 years while Martyn Naylor took charge of the side in the absence of boss Paul Holleran.
Buxton took the lead on 14 minutes when Elliott produced a firm first time finish from Sault’s cutback to leave Brakes goalkeeper Callum Hawkins with no chance.
The visitors responded with a chance of their own as Stewart headed straight at Buxton keeper True Grant while Hawkins parried Ethan Fitzhugh’s low drive at the other end.
Leamington equalised on the stroke of half time when Stewart received the ball in the box and wriggled out of a tight spot before firing a shot through Grant at his near post.
The Brakes almost completed the turnaround after the break as debutant Tim Berridge cut in from the left and beat a couple of defenders only for Grant to make a crucial save with his legs.
Buxton also searched for a winner as Sault fired high and wide and Josh Popoola saw a shot blocked.
However, Buxton snatched the points deep into injury time when Sault bundled his way into the box and rounded Hawkins before finishing into an empty net.
Leamington are next in action against Spennymoor Town on Saturday, August 17 with kick-off at 3pm at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
