The Lions fought back from 2-0 down at Leamington on Saturday to secure a 2-2 draw with Brad Nicholson getting both the goals.
After a poor first half from the visitors the hosts were reduced to 10 men and it proved to be the key turning point with Nicholson finishing off the resulting free kick and powering home a header with just two minutes to go.
The Brakes meanwhile impressed in the first 45 and showed a clinical edge and took the lead after just four minutes.
Joe Clarke smashed the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards out, his first for the club in over 100 appearances and it was worth the wait, Marcus Dewhurst stood no chance with stopping the ball hitting the back of the net.
It took The Lions a few minutes to recover, Aram Soleman went close with his effort deflected just wide of the post.
Aaron Martin also came close but his effort was blocked and from the resulting corner Kennedy Digie tried an audacious overhead kick but his effort was easily gathered by Jake Weaver.
Just two minutes later though Leamington were up the other end doubling their lead through top scorer Josh March who volleyed past Dewhurst after a ball over the top of the defence found the striker in acres of space.
Jordan Murphy had the best chance to add a third in the first 45 but his lob went over as Dewhurst also kept out March who was on the hunt for his second of the game.
Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill’s half-time team talk appeared to work with their side showing more energy and vigour in the second 45 with Digie getting the first chance but his header went over.
In the 66th minute came the turning point, Steph Morley was adjudged to have pulled back Martin who was racing through to pick up a loose ball, the defender was shown his marching orders with a straight red.
Nicholson made no mistake from the free kick, his initial effort hit the wall but from the rebound his delicious dink kissed the inside of the post on the way in and it was game on.
The Lions’ pressure eventually told in the 88th minute with Nicholson powering home Soleman’s corner for his second of the game, in all the madness the goal was initially given to Scott Garner but it was definitely Nicholson with the header.
Callum Gittings had the best chance in injury time but his effort went wide and the match ended a draw.
Attendance: 522
Team: 1. Marcus Dewhurst, 2. Reiss McNally, 3. Brad Nicholson (⚽ 67′ & ⚽ 88′), 4. Dylan Barkers, 5. Kennedy Digie (83′ Lee Shaw), 6. Scott Garner, 7. Aram Soleman (? 35′), 8. George Cantrill (? 57′), 9. Aaron Martin, 10. Jamie Spencer (? 3′) and 11. Gabriel Johnson.
Subs: 12. Lee Shaw (Digie 83′), 14. Scott Smith, 15. Andrai Jones, 16. Sam Scrivens and 17. Paul Clayton all unused.
