An uninspiring Leamington display meant that for much of this match against Fernhill County Sports they endured a slender goal advantage after taking an early lead within the opening five minutes through Shearsby, whose long-range drive was fumbled into his own net by Fernhill goalkeeper Dean Smith. But that elusive second Leamington goal never came. Despite numerous goal-scoring chances, Leamington failed to capitalise on their lead as their finishing let them down.

With Leamington having plenty of possession, Nicholls saw his low drive go just wide of the post, as they continued to mount more pressure on Fernhill. Thompson's in-swinging corner from the right in the 16th minute saw the ball touched onto the foot of the post by the Fernhill defence. Leamington restricted the visitors to rare attacks. Mick Upton forced Day into a fine low save in the 25th minute. Good work by Nicholls on the edge of the penalty area saw Timms blast over the bar. Another Thompson in-swinging corner in the 31st minute saw Timms head into the side netting, and Leamington took in a 1-0 lead at the interval.

In the 47th minute Timms lobbed the ball into the penalty area which forced Smith in the visiting goal to punch the ball clear of Nicholls. Leamington continued their goal hunt as Nicholls released Hammond into the penalty area. Only a late tackle by Mark Russell denied Leamington. Fernhill continued to frustrate Leamington, and Nicholls saw a good effort go just over the bar from 18 yards on 60 minutes, which then saw the introduction of Blake who replace goal-scorer Shearsby.

With Leamington threatening that second goal, Nicholls on the edge of the box found Adams but his shot lacked power and direction, and Dean Smith easily caught it at chest height in the Fernhill goal. On 69 minutes Blake found Webb but he wasted a good goal-scoring opportunity by blasting over the bar from 18 yards out.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Day turned a low drive from Carl Fairhurst around the post. Only a fine reflex save by Smith denied Blake following a Nicholls through ball which Williams failed to cut out.

On 90 minutes, Thompson failed to finish a nice Leamington move which saw Blake on the right wing square the ball to Adams in front of goal. He, in turn, found Thompson on the left side of the box in plenty of space but his low drive was well saved by Smith.

This was not a game that most of the 415 supporters will ever want to remember but it's the result and the points which count, although Leamington had the opportunity to win this one more convincingly than the scoreline suggests.

NBB Man-of-the-Match: Ben Adams

Match report by Glenn Lawrence