NORTH Leigh manager John Brough admitted his side need to be stronger against more direct opposition after surrendering a 2-1 half-time lead to lose 3-2 at home to Tiverton Town, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

The defeat was the Millers’ first in seven Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West games and Brough is keen to avoid a repeat.

He said: “In the first half I thought we were very good and we deserved to go in at half-time in front.

“But they changed things around in the second half and went very direct, pumping balls into our box, and it worked for them.

“We’ve got to be stronger and stand up to that.

“We’re going to come up against those kind of tactics all the time in this league and if we can’t deal with balls into the box we’re going to concede goals – and we have been.”

North Leigh handed a debut to forward Bradley Gray, who signed from local rivals Swindon Supermarine.

The Millers welcome back full-back Michael Hopkins, who was unavailable at the weekend, and Eric Odhiambo from suspension as they travel to Larkhall Athletic this evening.

Jamie Cook and Morgan Williams (both knee) miss out, but midfielder Callum McNish should make a return after recovering from a hamstring strain.

TONIGHT’S SQUAD

North Leigh (v Larkhall Ath, away): from Thompson, Platt, Turk, White, Hopkins, Hole, L Williams, R James, D James, Murphy, McNish, Seacole, M Williams, Else, A Woodley, M Woodley, Steedman, Fawke, Gray.