Moors were made to pay for some defensive errors as they were beaten 3-1 by Leamington at Your Co-op Community Stadium.

Graeme Lee’s side were in the driving seat after coming from a goal down through Isaac Fletcher, but the hosts were more clinical in the final third and took the three points.

With Dan Rowe and Ben Beals both missing through injury, new signing Ryan Bartley was thrown straight into the centre of defence for his debut after joining on loan from Derby County, while Zanda Siziba was on the bench after arriving from York City.

A scrappy opening presented little in terms of clearcut opportunities for either side, although Glen Taylor did have a sight of goal but couldn’t generate the venom to find the net and saw his shot blocked.

Leamington’s direct approach was causing Moors discomfort at times, and they fended clear a couple of long throws from defender Will Evans as their new-look back four was tested.

However, they couldn’t hold firm, and the hosts went in front on 15 minutes when a left-wing corner found its way right through the six-yard area to Callum Stewart who fired home his second of the season at the far post.

Moors responded well initially, and Isaac Fletcher could have nodded them level within a minute when he got on the end of Corey McKeown’s hanging cross, but his effort grazed the roof of the net on its way over.

McKeown himself was next to have a go on goal after he was found well by Olly Dyson inside the area, but the winger’s low drive was well held by keeper Callum Hawkins.

The leveller did arrive on 37 minutes though. Taylor did well at the front post to keep alive a low ball into the box and when it popped out to Fletcher, the midfielder never looked like missing and stroked a cool finish across Hawkins for 1-1.

Moors took control after that and could have been in front almost immediately when Taylor got on the end of Dyson’s cross, but the front man’s looping header dropped just over.

Fletcher could have added another to his growing tally as half time approached when he was found on the edge of the area by Rob Ramshaw, but the in-form midfielder screwed his shot wide of the target.

Moors were dominant at the start of the second half too and came close to moving in front when Matty Dolan got on the end of a flowing move only to see his header brilliantly tipped over by Callum Hawkins.

Seconds later, the game changed. James couldn’t control on overhit back pass from Bartley and in trying to recover possession the keeper upended Tim Berridge. Stewart knocked home his second of the afternoon from the resultant penalty.

Moors struggled to regain their composure after the setback and The Brakes moved further in front on 70 minutes when a long throw-in was half cleared only for Rob Evans to whip a cross into the box for fellow centre-back George Ward to head home.

Siziba was introduced from the bench for his debut and volleyed an effort straight at the keeper, while James had to go down to his left to keep out a Henry Landers effort at the other end as the game ended in defeat.

Full Time: Leamington 3 Moors 1

Leamington: Hawkins, Meredith, Quaynor, Evans, Landers (Lynn 87), Walker, Stewart (Elliott 90), Berridge (Edwards 65), Shorrock (Rowe 83), Ward, Williams.
Sub not used: Streete.

Booked: Walker (29)

Moors: James, Dyson, Ledger, Bartley, Staunton, Dolan, Ross, McKeown (Siziba 65), Ramshaw, Fletcher (Harris 87), Taylor.
Subs not used: Johnson, Myers, Howard.

Booked: Ross (33), Ramshaw (33), Staunton (90)

Referee: Harry Warner