RICHARD Batchelor headed the winner as Leamington knocked Stourbridge out of the Southern League Cup.

Lee Moore put the visitors ahead early in the second period when he drove home from ten yards out.

Jordan Fitzpatrick scored on his home debut to bring Stour level and the hosts twice went close through Sean Evans.

But Batchelor snatched victory for the visitors when he capitalised on slack marking to nod home a Moore corner.

It was the second time this year Leamington have vanquished Stour in knockout competition at the War Memorial, following their FA Cup replay win in September when Batchelor also got the winner.

This defeat will not sting as much but will still frustrate.

The Glassboys performance was far from poor and over the 90 minutes they certainly carved out the better chances.

But they failed to convert and Leamington carried enough of a threat to make their eventual victory not wholly unsurprising.

The best action of the first period occurred in the opening 60 seconds as the hosts came flying out of the traps.

Ben Billingham embarked on a surging run from the right and saw his shot deflected behind. Sean Geddes’ corner was met by Paul McCone whose looping header was cleared off the line by a covering defender.

Things settled down after that, with McCone helping to create the next big chance when his through ball set Chris Knight away, only for the striker to pull his finish wide of the far post.

Knight was again guilty of missing a golden chance just past the half-hour mark when an error by centre back Jamie Hood set him clear but again the finish was off target.

Leamington’s only effort on goal during the opening period was a sweetly struck volley by Alex Taylor, which was directed straight at Stour keeper Lewis Solly.

But within four minutes of the restart the visitors went ahead. A lofted ball from midfield was headed out only as far as Moore, who fired first time low into the net past Solly.

Stour’s reaction to going behind was admirable. Leon Broadhurst saw a fierce shot blocked following a neat move before Fitzpatrick levelled things up just before the hour, firing home right-footed from close range following excellent work by Billingham.

The tempo of the game had noticeably increased and Stour looked more likely to score again, with Knight forcing Brakes keeper Laurie Walker into a smart save.

Walker then twice denied Sean Evans with fine saves. On both occasions Knight had been provider, with Evans first controlling a volleyed cross before having a low shot saved, before Walker tipped over a measured chipped effort after Knight had twice flicked the ball over the head of Hood to set up the chance.

But the second goal failed to arrive for the hosts and with 11 minutes to go Batchelor put the Brakes back in front.

Solly had already saved well from Joe Magunda, after he had been afforded a free header from a Moore corner but the lesson was not learned and seconds later Batchelor was allowed to nip in at the near post and steer his header home.

Stour pushed hard in the closing ten minutes and Walker was forced into a smart stop by Leon Broadhurst. Substitute Drew Canavan saw a rasping drive deflected just wide but the effort was all in vain.

GLASSBOYS: Solly, Fitzpatrick, Hurren, McCone (c), Geddes, Bennett, Lloyd, Broadhurst, Knight, BIllingham (Turton 83), Evans (Canavan 75) Subs not used: Oliver, Dyson, Smith.

Goal: Fitzpatrick 58.

BRAKES: Walker, Mace, Dodd (Husband 62), Magunda, Hood (c), Daly (Naylor 67), Taylor, Adkins, Moore, Berwick, Batchelor Subs not used: Johnson, Morley, Ward.

Goals: Moore 49, Batchelor 79.