LEAMINGTON battled to a goalless draw away at Kidderminster Harriers as Paul Holleran’s side continued their unbeaten start to the season.
The Brakes were indebted to goalkeeper Callum Hawkins who made a number of crucial saves, including one from a first-half penalty, to keep the game scoreless in sweltering conditions at Aggborough.
And the result means Leamington sit third in the National League North table behind just two teams who have started the season with back-to-back wins.
Brakes keeper Hawkins was forced into an early save when he got down low to parry Yusifu Ceesay’s shot to safety before Kiddy’s Tom Owen-Evans sliced over from six yards out soon after.
And Hawkins was at his best later in the half as he made a fine double save to first deny Ceesay and then Joe Foulkes from close range.
Leamington’s first significant effort of the game came from Dan Turner who saw his shot saved by Harriers keeper Tom Palmer at his near post after being picked out by Junior English.
However, Kidderminster were then awarded a penalty when Hawkins fouled Ceesay in the area despite Leamington’s appeals that the ball had travelled out of play prior to the offence.
The Brakes stopper held his nerve from the resulting spot kick as he made an excellent save low down to his right to deny Ashley Hemmings who stuttered in his run up to the ball.
Kiddy went close again soon after when Owen-Evans’s low strike struck the post just before the first drinks break of the afternoon.
Holleran’s men made a strong start to the second half and almost broke the deadlock when Turner nodded a header towards the top corner which was clawed behind by Palmer in the home goal.
Leamington had further chances to take the lead with Jack Lane’s header was saved by Palmer after Dan Meredith’s piledriver had been deflected over the crossbar.
Kidderminster’s Owen-Evans hit the post for a second time late on before substitute Ethan Freemantle dragged a shot inches wide as the Brakes held on for a point thanks to some heroic defending.
Leamington are next in action away at Buxton on Tuesday, August 16 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium.
