BROMSGROVE Sporting had two players sent off as the Rouslers lost on the road for the first time this season in a 2-0 defeat at Leamington.
Sporting had Tristan Dunkley and player-manager Michael McGrath sent off in the second half after Henry Landers opened the scoring early on before Tyrone Barnett struck in injury time at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
The result means Sporting sit 14th in the Southern League Premier Central table.
Despite early chances for both Conor Tee and Billy Shaw, Leamington took the lead against the run of play on 14 minutes when Landers lashed the ball home from inside the box after latching onto a flick-on.
Sporting created several chances as they searched for a leveller with Tee denied by Brakes goalkeeper Callum Hawkins.
However, Sporting lost striker Dunkley to a red card just before the hour mark after blocking Hawkins’ attempted kick upfield before then receiving a second yellow card moments later for remonstrating with the official.
And the Rouslers finished the game with nine-men after McGrath saw red for pulling down substitute Cally Stewart after losing possession on the edge of his own penalty area.
From the resulting free-kick Ollie Taylor made an excellent acrobatic save to keep out former Rousler Josh Quaynor’s free-kick.
And Sporting were enraged with a few minutes left to play after Quaynor pulled down Sporting substitute Gus Sanches as he burst in on goal only for the referee to brandish a yellow card.
Despite playing with two less players, Sporting continued to push for an equaliser before veteran striker Barnett turned home Landers’ cross from close range in injury time.
Sporting are next in action at home to Halesowen Town on Tuesday, September 26 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Victoria Ground.
