AFC TOTTON endured a miserable afternoon as they lost 2-1 at Evostik Southern Premier promotion favourites Leamington.
After a scrappy opening it was the Stags who almost went ahead on 12 minutes when a close range shot by Richard Gillespie cannoned off the legs of Leamington keeper Niall Cooper.
But the home side immediately broke away and Ricky Johnson’s low cross was swept in by Lee CHILTON.
Then, with 26 minutes gone, Totton were awarded a penalty after Gillespie was dragged down by Cooper but Mike Gosney’s spot kick was saved by the home keeper.
GOSNEY made amends for his miss ten minutes after the break when he rifled in the Stags leveller from 25-yards. But midway through the second period the home side were back in front when Matty DODD turned in the box and drilled in past Gareth Barfoot.
It got worse for the Stags on 70 minutes, when Jonathan Davies received a red card for a rash challenge.
And with five minutes left Ross Bottomley was stretchered off with an injury.
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