John Else scored the winner as North Leigh reached the third round of the league’s Red Insure Cup with a 1-0 win at Hungerford Town.

While Mark Gee’s side are still looking for their first Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West 1 victory in five games after Saturday’s goalless draw with Paulton Rovers, they got it right on Monday night.

It was a welcome return to form against the Berkshire side who are riding high in second place in North Leigh’s Division.

The goal came late in the first half dominated by the Millers.

Michael Hopkins’s corner was returned across goal by Toby Hopkins for Else to head in.

The visitors came under the cosh after the break, but keeper Sam Worrall made two good saves to deny them.

In Saturday’s home clash with Paulton, new signing Ryan Brooks pepped up North Leigh’s attack, but could not bring them victory.

Brooks, who joined from Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division neighbours Witney Town the previous day, was unable to end North Leigh’s recent winless run.

The Millers suffered an early scare when Nick McCootie’s fierce shot rebounded off Milllers’ keeper Sam Warrell’s legs for a corner.

The home goal had a few narrow escapes in the first half, with Warrell pushing a shot from Paulton midfielder Joshua Jeffries onto the bar, while Stuart Pearson blasted over from close-range.

North Leigh hit back when Brooks struck a powerful shot into the side-netting and saw another drive brilliantly parried by keeper Kyle Phillips.

After the break, the hosts turned up the pressure on the visitors.

The introduction of substitute Michael Alexis in midfield midway through the half after injury swung the balance in the hosts’ favour.

The best chance of the game came on after 69 minutes when a deep cross from the left by Michael Hopkins was well controlled by Brooks, who hit a hard shot straight at Phillips.

North Leigh: Warrell, Hole, Caton, Turk, Franklin, Westlake, Sanders, Shepherd (Alexis 60), Mills, Brooks (Deabill 86), Hopkins. Subs not used: Organ, Clark, Else.

Attendance: 67.

On Saturday, North Leigh face a trip to Clevedon Town in Division 1 South & West.