North Leigh stayed in touch with the leaders in Calor League Division 1 South & West when Conor McDonagh’s early goal gave them a narrow victory at home to lively Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.

It was the perfect response for the Millers who had lost their last two home games.

They had an early escape when Marine’s leading scorer Ashley Edenborough lobbed the ball just wide after beating Paul White in the home goal.

The only goal came after 14 minutes.

Aaron Woodley crossed into the box and McDonagh got to the ball first to glide it home past keeper Kent Kauppinen from close range.

Morgan Williams had a ch-ance to make it 2-0, but his long-distance shot was saved.

North Leigh’s early second-half pressure was disrupted by a suspected hamstring injury to Woodley.

The Millers stayed on top with a quality run and shot from the edge of the box by McDonagh, forcing Kauppinen to save at full stretch.

Marine threw more men forward in an attempt to snatch a draw, and on 83 minutess had strong appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Shaun Barry as Aaron Ferris tumbled in the box.

Swindon’s former Witney United striker Joe Tustain, saw his shot well-saved by White as the hosts held on.

North Leigh club captain Stuart Hole pulled out of the match, following the death of his father, Les, in an accident at work on Saturday morning.

North Leigh: White, Turk, Organ, Bowles, Gunn, Westlake, Else (Alexis 81), Osborne-Ricketts, McDonagh, Woodley (Walcott 52), Williams (Dobson).

Attendance: 106.