A goal ten minutes from time by Tyrone Fagan sent North Leigh slipping to a disappointing 1-0 home defeat against Southern League Division 1 South & West pacesetters Stratford Town on Saturday.

The visitors – a big physical side – closed down the opposition quickly and were a danger at set-pieces.

The closest to a goal in a dull first half came after only three minutes when Millers’ captain Stuart Hole saw his shot hacked off the the goalline by a relieved Stratford defender.

The second half saw increased goalmouth action.

The hosts had to defend well at a corner, while at the other end Kieran Sanders jinked his way past a couple of defenders and put in a deep cross that ended with fellow striker Conor Ingram having his goalbound header blocked.

A few minutes later, Ingram headed straight into the arms of the Stratford keeper Andy Kemp.

Further decent North Leigh goal efforts came in from Aaron Woodley, Hole, Ingram and Callum McNish.

A goalless draw seemed on the cards. But then came a route one winner for Stratford.

Kemp’s long goalkick was flicked on into the path of Fagan just outside the home penalty area.

He drew Millers’ keeper Matt Bulman and neatly tucked it past him from eight yards.

North Leigh were nearly caught out again as Richard Gregory’s lobbed shot over bounced off the bar.

North Leigh: Bulman, Else, Hopkins, McNish, Gunn, Hole (Westlake 85), Bowles (Williams 67), Osborne-Ricketts, Ingram, Sanders, A Woodley (M Woodley) Sub not used: Turk.

Attendance: 96.

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