Dodd’s spot on as Cambridge made to pay the penalty

Stefan Moore slides in an effort on goal. The striker was later to add gloss to Brakes victory with their fourth. Picture: Sally Ellis

The hosts were left aggrieved by some controversial decisions that led to three penalties being awarded and it was hard not to sympathise, as for long periods the game was an even affair.

Matt Dodd was restored to the starting XI by Paul Holleran after missing the previous two games through injury and he drove an early shot over the Cambridge bar after a good turn in midfield bought him time and space to attack.

The hosts had the first clear-cut opportunity when a ball over the top to Craig Calver caught the Leamington defence napping but Laurie Walker got them out of jail, getting down quickly to parry the low drive.

A spot of pinball inside the area saw Robbie Nightingale presented with two shots at goal. The first ricocheted back to him and the second whistled just past the post.

Adam Marriott then swept a first-time effort just wide after a good move down the left.

Leamington enjoyed a good spell of pressure and Richard Batchelor sent a couple of headers over the bar before a scramble inside the area saw Dodd’s shot blocked, the follow-up effort being deflected behind for a corner.

As the half moved into injury time a high ball was pumped into the home six-yard box and, after Barrett failed to gather, he stumbled into Ricky Johnson who had nipped in front of the keeper. Home players and supporters alike were dismayed at the award of a penalty but Dodd held his nerve to calmly send Barrett the wrong way.

The advantage was wiped out three minutes into the second half, however, as Tom Pepper’s left-wing cross was met by a deft header from Adam Marriott that sent the ball wide of Walker.

The hosts’ tails were up but Leamington rode the storm and worked their way back into the game.

Stefan Moore saw a goal ruled out for an infringement before Johnson swept a first- time shot wide from his strike partner’s lay-off.

The game turned on a controversial moment with 15 minutes to play. Lee Chilton crashed in a shot which was adjudged to have struck the arm of Jackson Ramm and Dodd again took the responsibility to deceive Barrett.

Johnson nearly swung the game further in Leamington’s favour when he pounced on a slip on the halfway line to home in on goal, only to drag his shot wide of the far post with two team-mates screaming for a pass in the centre.

There was to be more spot- kick drama when Moore was bought down, allowing Dodd to complete an unlikely but very well-taken hat-trick.

The goals and the manner in which they were conceded took the wind out of Cambridge and Moore put the seal on a slightly flattering scoreline when he rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Cambridge City: Zac Barrett, Jackson Ramm, Tom Pepper (Will Lawton, 73), Dave Theobald, Danny Blanchett, Adrian Cambridge (David Prada, 81), Ieuan Lewis, Robbie Knightingale, Craig Calver, Adam Marriott, Ashley Fuller (Liam Hurst, 81). Subs not used: Neil Midgeley.

Brakes: Laurie Walker, Martyn Naylor, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Matt Dodd (Craig Owen, 88), Lee Chilton (James Husband, 90), Stefan Moore, Ricky Johnson (Lee Moore, 83), Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Sam Adkins, Niall Cooper.