North Leigh’s Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West play-off aspirations suffered a jolt as they went down to a surprise 2-0 home defeat at Eynsham Park on Saturday.

The loss ended the Millers’ unbeaten league and cup record which stretched back to early December – a run of 12 matches.

With makeshift striker Andy Caton keeping his place up front, North Leigh started sluggishly on a heavy pitch.

And they paid the price when Cinderford took the lead after just two minutes, Ethan Moore side-footing past Matt Bulman in the home goal from five yards after a swift break.

North Leigh had a great chance to level on 14 minutes, but Andy Gunn blazed over from ten yards after a free-kick was played into the penalty area.

A few minutes later, Woodley’s pass found the on-rushing Jamie Cook, who could only fire wide of an open goal.

The Millers pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half, with Kieran Sanders and Aaron Woodley threatening down the flanks.

But on 59 minutes their hard work was undone when Cinderford doubled the lead, Kieran Thomas’s low hard shot finding the far corner through a ruck of players.

On 69 minutes, Caton’s header was cleared off the line and moments later, keeper Alex Harris saved bravely at the feet of Sanders.

North Leigh piled on the pressure, with Morgan Williams having a shot saved, but Cinderford held on to seal a double after their home win against the Millers in October.

Tonight, Mark Gee’s men have the opportunity to get back to winning ways when they host runaway leaders Merthyr Town at Eynsham Park.

North Leigh: Bulman, Turk (Hole 87), Hopkins, Osborne-Ricketts, Gunn, Westlake, Woodley, McNish, Cook (Williams 64), Caton (Bowles 78), Sanders.

Referee: S Wales.

Attendance: 69.