Royston returned empty handed from their first away trip of the season, as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at the Liberty Stadium, home of Nuneaton Borough.

What looked a much-improved Nuneaton team from last season, where quick out of the blocks. Dimi Kyriatzis was called upon as early as the 7th minute, thwarting Kane Richards with a tip round the post as Richards ran through on goal. The Boro thought they had taken the lead in the 13th minute as Matthew Stenson cleverly turned Dan Newton but he was unlucky to see his curling shot thunder back off of the post. It was Stenson again in the 26th minute who had a free header in the box, but he was unable to unduly trouble Kyriatzis.

It was therefore somewhat against the run of play that Royston took the lead. A strong run from skipper Adam Murray was illegally stopped on the left edge of the box. James Brighton stepped up and delivered a deep out-swinging free-kick, that was firmly met at the back post by Dan Newton, to give the Crows the advantage.

The one goal lead was short lived though, as just 4 minutes later home full back Camron McWilliams weaved his way into the box, evading some weak defending, before smashing the ball home from 8 yards, giving Kyriatzis no chance.

With the score at 1-1 going into the second half there was much to play for, but Royston were pinned back and struggled to get out of their own half with any meaningful possession. It came as no surprise, when in the 61st minute the home side took the lead. A forceful run through the midfield area by Tyrell Waite, ended with him sliding the ball through to impish winger Charlie Dowd, who calmly passed the ball into the back of the net, much to the vocal home supporters’ delight.

The Crows were forced to push forward a bit more and the game started to open out, good play from substitute Freddie Brown saw him tee up Max Bustamante but his shot was always rising over the crossbar. At the other end Kyriatzis had to be alert, as he tipped over a long-range effort from Ryan Beswick.

The best chance of an equaliser fell to Carl Mensah as Adam Murray knocked down a Nathan Tshikuna free kick, but the ball would not drop kindly for the big centre half. Indeed, from the resulting break Nuneaton should have put the game out of reach, as a quick counter-attack, that looked highly promising, broke down as Revarnelle James overhit the crucial pass. Substitute James was not to be denied his moment of glory though, as in the 91st minute he made the game safe, working space on the
right-hand corner of the penalty area he was able to finish low into the bottom corner and give Nuneaton a well-deserved first win of the season.

Royston: 1-Kyriatzis, 6-Henry, 3-Brighton (14-Williams 54), 8-Mentis, 4-Mensah, 2-Newton, 7-Ironton (17-Brown 62), 10-Tshikuna, 5-Murray ©, 9-Bateman (15-Darby 62), 11-Bustamante-Macaire

Unused: 12-Keane, 16-Rolfe
MOM – Carl Mensah