PAUL HOLLERAN celebrated his 600th game in charge of Leamington with a scrappy 1-0 win against Guiseley.
Holleran’s special day was capped off by Devon Kelly-Evans’ winner in the second half at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
And the result means Leamington sit 14th in the National League North table, eight points outside of the play-off places.
Holleran was given a guard of honour by both sets of players prior to kick-off as the teams struggled to create chances in strong windy conditions.
ππΌ A fitting tribute on a memorable milestone! Brakes and @GuiseleyAFC players and staff as well as the match officials gave @Hollers07 a guard of honour on his 600th game in charge of the Brakes.@TheVanaramaNL#BackingTheBrakes | #BrakesTogether
— Leamington FC β½οΈπΊπ¦ (@LeamingtonFC) March 21, 2022
Brakes goalkeeper Callum Hawkins reacted quickly to snare a low cross into the penalty area before saving from Dom Tear after Adam Walker’s clearance fell into the forward’s path.
And Guiseley came close to breaking the deadlock soon after when a set-piece into the box was headed off the line before Regan Hutchinson nodded inches over the bar.
Referee Claudio Gavillucci then caused confusion after accidentally showing Guiseley captain Hamza Bencherif a red card before quickly replacing it with a yellow for a foul on Kelsey Mooney.
Leamington endured a difficult first half as Guiseley continued to come forward with Jason Sraha driving an effort start at Hawkins from distance.
However, the Brakes opened the scoring against the run of play on 62 minutes when Kelly-Evans drilled a low first-time effort past Owen Mason after Dan Meredith’s long throw was flicked on by Dan Turner into his path.
Guiseley almost caught Leamington on the counter attack when substitute Josh Stones broke away towards goal before shooting well off target.
The Brakes nearly snatched a second goal in added time when Kelly-Evans tried to bundle home Joe Parker’s right-wing cross only for Mason to block the midfielder’s goalbound effort.
Leamington are next in action away at Farsley Celtic on Tuesday, March 22 with kick-off at 7.45pm at The Citadel.