NORTH Leigh completed their dramatic end-of-season turnaround by avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.
The Millers drew 3-3 at home to Evo-Stik South League Division 1 Central champions Peterborough Sports on Saturday to round off a sensational end to the campaign which saw them win three and draw three of their last six matches.
They finished the season in 17th place, one ahead of Oxfordshire rivals Kidlington who also stayed up, despite losing 2-1 at home to Corby Town.
North Leigh led 1-0 at the interval through George Seacole’s goal.
But table-toppers Peterborough made a triple change at the break and scored three times in ten second-half minutes to take control.
Josh McCammon put them ahead on 47 minutes before Dion Sembie-Ferris scored on 55 and 57 to make it 3-1.
North Leigh battled back though, Jordy Ngathe beating three players before curling home with 20 minutes remaining.
And in the final minute substitute Alfie Grant headed home a Henry Landers free-kick to earn a draw.
When news filtered through that both Aylesbury and Dunstable Town had lost, the celebrations were already in full swing.
Kidlington trailed 2-0 at half-time to third-placed Corby Town with Elliot Sandy and Joel Carta on target.
Tommy Castle reduced the deficit on 59 minutes, but although they were unable to find an equaliser, the other results meant they too were safe from the drop.
Didcot Town and Thame United, as expected, missed out on a play-off spot after both drawing.
They each had outside chances of a top-five finish, but it was not to be.
Didcot were held to a 0-0 draw at AFC Dunstable, ending Andy Ballard’s spell as manager in seventh.
Thame shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Cambridge City despite going ahead.
Duran Martin gave the visitors a half-time lead, but Ryan Sharman levelled for Cambridge 20 minutes from time as Thame finished eighth.
In the Premier Division Central, Banbury United ended their season with a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Hitchin Town.
Amer Awadh fired Mike Ford’s side into the lead on 14 minutes, but the visitors hit back to take maximum points.
The defeat sees Banbury finish the campaign in 17th place.
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