North Leigh’s brilliant run came to an end when they lost at home to runaway Division 1 South & West leaders Bideford on Saturday.

Having won ten of their previous 11 games to move within sight of the play-offs, North Leigh were confident of extending this sequence, especially when Bideford were reduced to ten men by a sending-off.

But a sucker-punch goal six minutes from time extended Bideford’s lead to 13 points.

Kevin Squire twice went close for the visitors in the first half, striking the post and putting another shot just wide.

Home keeper Sam Warrell denied Sean Downing with his legs, before the striker put Bideford ahead right on half-time, the ball taking a wicked deflection of a defender.

Bideford were reduced to ten men after 64 minutes when their former Didcot Town player Ian Sampson was dismissed for a late tackle.

The extra-man advantage soon paid dividends.

Five minutes later, Kieran Sanders beat three defenders before stroking the ball across goal to Michael Hopkins, who slam-med home the equaliser from close range.

However North Leigh’s hopes were dashed in the 84th minute, when in a rare breakaway attack by Bideford, a pinpoint cross from the left found Squire, who nodded home the winner past a helpless Warrell.

North Leigh: Warrell, Hole, Organ, Clark (Burnell 46), Franklin, Caton, Sanders, Bowles (Reardon 70), Williams, Osborne-Ricketts, Hopkins (Mills 80). Subs not used: Crudup, Merriman.

Attendance: 76.