Brackley 2 Spennymoor Town 0.

Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley admitted that his team were below their best when their 100 per cent record ended at leaders Brackley on Saturday.

Moors had produced three very good performances in their first three matches, but they weren’t firing on all cylinders at St James Park.

And now they’ll be without centre half James Curtis for the home game against Salford this Saturday after he was dismissed for his second yellow card late in the game.

“We didn’t play very well at all, we didn’t really get started,” said Ainsley.

“We kept the ball well in the first half, but in the second half we didn’t really look a threat. I didn’t think there was much in the game, but we were beaten on a setplay in the first half which we’d talked about before the game. I don’t think there was a massive gulf between the two teams, it was just we didn’t play as well as I know we can. I’m frustrated and disappointed, because we didn’t show what we’re capable of.

“The defeat is maybe a reality check. Brackley is a difficult place to go to, there won’t be many teams who’ll pick up points there this season. We weren’t naïve, expecting to win every game this season – we know that this is a very tough league, and anybody can beat anybody.”

Moors started the game with some good promise and nearly took the lead with a Kallum Griffiths free kick and a good run by Glen Taylor that ended with his shot being blocked. But Brackley steadily came more and more into the game, and their top scorer, James Armson had a shot deflected wide, and Spennymoor keeper Dan Lowson saved from Glenn Walker.

Brackley took the lead from a setplay that Ainsley had pre-warned his defence about five minutes before half time, when a corner from Alex Gudger was headed back for Lee Ndlovu to head past Lowson.

Brackley were in control of the game in the second half. Lowson saved from Walker again, and Ndlovu headed against the crossbar.

Moors kept going, but their chances of an equaliser were dealt a blow when James Curtis was shown his second yellow card for a foul with three minutes left. Brackley exploited his absence in stoppage time when Matt Lowe slotted the ball home.

Moors are in action again on Tuesday with their re-arranged trip to Boston United, and then they’re at home to Salford next Saturday.

They have also been given a segregated end for the derby against Darlington at Blackwell Meadows on Monday, but the game is not all ticket.

Team: Lowson, Griffiths, Chantler (sub Orrell 80), Chandler, Tait, Curtis, Hall, Dixon, Taylor, Ramshaw, Foley (sub Johnson 66), Subs not used: Mason, Porter, Henry.