LEAMINGTON’S five-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end after the Brakes suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at managerless Alvechurch.
Paul Holleran’s side fell behind to Ben Cassidy’s goal three minutes into the second half and were unable to find an equaliser at Lye Meadow.
The result means Leamington sit fifth in the Southern League Premier Central table.
Church goalkeeper Dale Eve made a crucial early save to keep out Ewan Williams’s low shot before Ethan Patterson’s glancing header travelled narrowly wide at the other end.
The home side almost took the lead at the start of the second period as Cassidy broke upfield before finding Kai Adan George only for the striker to see his effort blocked.
However, Church eventually broke the deadlock on 48 minutes when Cassidy’s powerful shot went through a crowd of bodies and past Leamington goalkeeper Callum Hawkins.
And the home side then spurned a golden chance to double their lead after Cassidy and Jack Concannon combined well only for the former to chip the ball straight at Hawkins.
The visitors twice went close to levelling the game as Devon Kelly-Evans curled a shot wide before Dan Meredith’s effort was blocked.
Church responded with a chance of their own as Adan-George’s shot came back off of Hawkins before firing a second effort wide of the goal.
The Brakes missed a glorious chance to draw level with 15 minutes left to play as Williams headed over from Meredith’s cross.
Church came within inches of sealing the points when substitute Kobe Chong hit the post before the visitors went close to an equaliser in the final minute when veteran striker Tyrone Barnett headed against the crossbar.
Leamington are next in action away at Royston Town on Saturday, September 30 with kick-off at 3pm at Garden Walk.
