By David Hucker

Church Nick It but All to Play For in March Second Leg

Brakes went from the sublime to the ridiculous in a matter of days when Wednesday's frost-bound New Windmill pitch gave way to a Lye Meadow surface reminiscent of those seen in FA Cup ties in old black and white clips from Match of the Day. The likes of Hereford United and Yeovil Town would have been at home here but the muddy, stamina-sapping turf certainly did not help Leamington's passing game.

Coming only a few days after a disappointing home encounter with Alveston, this was a tough match against one of the league's best sides. Brakes kept faith with the same starting line-up and the players responded well giving everything in a pulsating tie that was good value for the 302 strong crowd. Alvechurch are a big strong side and handled the conditions well, but still it was Brakes who had the best of the early chances when, in the tenth minute, Paul Nicholls and Jonny Burgess combined well out on the right and fed Josh Blake in the penalty area only for his shot to go just over the bar.

As the first half progressed, Brakes stepped up the pressure and it was rather against the run of play that Alvechurch took the lead in the thirty-seventh minute. Full back Neil Finan cut in from the left and beat two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable shot past James Gettings. An equaliser almost came Brakes way a minute before half-time when hard-working captain Darren Timms broke into the penalty area but saw his shot come off the feet of the Alvechurch keeper.

Right from the start of the second period, Brakes continued to attack and a goalbound shot from Ben Adams on 53 minutes was deflected for a corner which came to nothing. However, Alvechurch were still dangerous on the breakaway and were denied by an excellent save by Gettings tipping the ball over the bar. It could have been two in the seventy-fifth minute but Keith Rostill shot wide with only Gettings to beat. The best chance for Brakes came shortly after when a Nicholls shot hit the bar but, despite the efforts of the excellent Burgess coming forward time after time, the ball would not go in.

The stage is set for a lively return encounter at the New Windmill on 1 March and co-manager Barry Proctor is in no doubt that his side can win. He said "That was a cracking cup tie and an excellent performance from the team. We almost camped out at their end in the second half and I am confident that we can turn it around next time."

They will have to do it, however, without Blake who starts a lengthy suspension but defender Simon Walker is ready to return and calm the nerves.

Leamington: James Gettings, Jonny Burgess, Harj Dhesi, Tom Sidwell, Andy Gregory, Andy Ellis, Baz Shearsby (Nick Mort 72), Ben Adams (Ryan Parisi 75), Daz Timms [Capt.] (Brian Agar 77), Paul Nicholls, Josh Blake

Team News: Josh Blake starts five week suspension; Steve Thompson was skiing; Paul Eden wasn't eligible - you have to have made three league appearances to appear in this cup