By Roger Vincent

Nellie Nails Rugby

Improving Brakes' youth battled their way to a second away win in succession, overcoming Rugby Town at Lutterworth on a cold, windy evening with 30 Brakes fans braving the first portents of winter.

Unlike the Management, who patrolled the dark, desolate outskirts of Lutterworth before they found the ground, Brakes started with a flourish that showed they knew where the Rugby goal was and in just 7 minutes Neal "Nellie" Grainger latched onto a through ball from Stacey to drive home a fierce shot.

With the strong wind in their favour in the first half Brakes threatened to score more though the wind was also the enemy as more than one through ball was overhit into touch. Nevertheless the diminutive Grainger, who continues to impress, went close twice more when he broke on the left to shoot just wide and shot on the volley to bring a good save from a very good Rugby 'keeper. With Rugby coming back into the game the defence were playing well with Thornton solid in goal and Scott continuing the good form he has shown all season.

Claridge came on for Webster at the start of the second half and combined well with Stacey who powered his way past 2 defenders to go close. Brakes were playing some slick football and deserved better when Claridge found Tolley down the wing who crossed for Grainger to go close. As both defences seized the initiative it became a war of attrition with Rugby showing good approach work, spoilt by abysmal finishing when they got past a sound Brakes' defence.

Collen replaced Tolley with 85 minutes on the clock as Brakes dug in to hold their lead and the game ended with Rugby, despite their greater possession in the second half, still not looking like breaking down a resilient, Brakes' defence.