Despite fielding their new signings Liam Malone and Mark Bell, North Leigh lost more ground in their bid for the Calor League Division 1 South & West play-offs on Saturday.

The duo joined in midweek from Oxford City and went straight into the starting line-up away to Wimborne Town, who were boosted by an early goal.

The Millers more than matched their in-form opponents for the rest of the half.

Wimborne, however, edged the second half, scored another goal and it was only when Millers’ striker Conor Mc-Donagh replied late on they had cause for alarm.

Wimborne took the lead after four minutes.

Sam Griffin got past Millers defender Andy Caton down the right and crossed from the bye-line to the far post where George Webb clipped the ball past keeper Adam McHugh.

North Leigh responded well.

Malone and Bell posed problems, while Stuart Hole hit a stunning 30-yard free-kick that was heading for the net before home keeper Jason Harvell tipped it around a post.

Shortly before half-time, Harvell again denied the vistors, saving from Michael Hop-kins’s long-range free-kick.

In the second half, Mark Gee’s men pushed for the equaliser without success.

Instead, Wimborne made it 2-0 in the 67th minute.

A cross was half-cleared to Griffin, who hit a casual left-foot shot that somehow found its way past a number of bodies and the unsighted McHugh into the far corner of the net.

North Leigh pressed and their persistence was rewa-rded after 88 minutes.

Bowles beat a couple of players before threading a pass to McDonagh, who controlled the ball in the box, turned and hit it past Harvell from five yards.

But the home side hung on without undue alarm.

On Saturday, North Leigh host Yate Town.

North Leigh: McHugh, Hole, Hopkins, Turk (Bowles 50), Gunn, Caton, Bell (Williams 59), Malone, McDonagh, Osborne-Ricketts, Woodley (Walcott 78). Subs not used: Sanders, Dobson.

Attendance: 236.