BANBURY United boosted their play-off bid with a 3-1 win at home to North Leigh, opening up a six-point gap over their local rivals.

In a match where both sides were restricted to ten men, goals from Mark Bell, Zac McEachran and Ricky Johnson saw the Puritans move up to fourth in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West.

Sam Elkins scored for the Millers, who are one place adrift of the play-offs.

It was the hosts who opened the scoring on 32 minutes when Bell’s shot found the top corner.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0 after McEachran slotted home.

The visitors started the second half well and equalised on 51 minutes through Elkins’ header.

Bell was then shown a straight red card for a poor challenge on Stuart Hole in the 70th minute and shortly after Zak Westlake was dismissed for the Millers after a foul on Callum White.

Banbury made the game safe when Johnson headed home.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Welch-Hayes (Steedman 83), Nash, Westbrook, Gunn, McEachran (Browne 65), Stanbridge, Johnson, Howards (Barcelos 59), Bell. Subs not used: Wise, Martin.

North Leigh: Foster, Elkins, Hopkins, Turk ( Else 83), Westlake, White, Davies (Williams 80), Hole, Cook (Seacole 80), McNish, Osborne-Ricketts. Sub not used: Taylor.

Attendance: 272.

Didcot Town had goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell sent off as promotion-chasing Winchester City snatched a late 2-1 victory.

Jack Self went close for the Railwaymen.

But just before half-time, emotions boiled over as Bedwell retaliated after being kicked by a Winchester player, resulting in a red card for the goalkeeper and Rob Flooks for the visitors.

Striker Mark Janes took over in between the sticks and City took the lead minutes after the restart through Warren Bentley.

The hosts responded and equalised on 72 minutes when Matty Woodley curled home a free-kick, But their unbeaten start to 2016 came to an end when Matt Benham tapped home with four minutes to go.

Didcot Tn: Bedwell, Collins, Martin (Woodley 66), Ballard, Carnell, Learoyd, Reid, Self, Janes, Longford (Edney H/T), Dutton-Black. Subs not used: Organ, Woodhouse, Chalk.

Attendance: 127.

Struggling Wantage Town lost 5-0 at home to Evesham United.