KIDLINGTON and North Leigh recorded crucial victories in their battle to beat the drop in Evo-Stik South League Division 1 Central.

The results have seen the sides close the gap to safety with eight games remaining – Kidlington are now only in the drop zone on goal difference, while the Millers cut the deficit to three points.

Goals from Lewis Coyle and Chris Jordan helped Kidlington beat Yaxley 2-1 away.

While debutant Tyriq Hunte scored twice as basement boys North Leigh earned a 4-2 home win over Aylesbury United.

It did not take long for Kidlington to open the scoring against Yaxley.

Coyle fired the visitors into a fourth-minute lead, only for Charley Sanders to level.

Kidlington began the second half on the front foot and deservedly went ahead through substitute Jordan’s 66th-minute strike.

Yaxley refused to lie down and the hosts were forced to rely on saves from Sam Warrell and a Marvin Martin goalline clearance to secure the win.

Bottom side North Leigh recorded their first league win since January 8.

Alfie Grant headed the Millers into a 22nd-minute lead, before Hunte doubled their advantage.

Ben Barrett then netted on 44 minutes as the home side made it 3-0 at the break.

Hunte, who joined from Hendon last week, then scored his second and North Leigh’s fourth.

Aylesbury fought back through late goals from Joe Wood and Tre Mitford, but the Millers had already done enough.

Fourth-placed Didcot Town strengthened their play-off hopes with a 3-0 win at Dunstable Town.

Greg Hackett’s 20-yard effort put the Railwaymen ahead, before Cameron McNeill headed home to make it 2-0 at the break.

The three points were then wrapped up on hour mark when Felipe Barcelos scored.

Thame United dropped out of the play-off places after a late goal denied them a home win over third-placed Corby Town.

The hosts opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Lynton Goss volleyed home.

But Corby equalised on 83 minutes when Jamie Anton scored.

Ten-man Banbury United lost 3-0 at Premier Division Central leaders Kettering Town.

Edmund Hotter was shown a straight red card after 17 minutes for a late challenge.

Kettering took advantage to lead 3-0 at the break, thanks to goals from Rhys Hoenes, Gary Stohrer and Brett Solkhon.

Banbury’s Ravi Shamsi had a goal disallowed for offside.

The game was already out of sight, but the Puritans went close to a late consolation when Giorgio Rasulo hit a post in injury time.