NORTH Leigh were unable to break down ten-man hosts Taunton Town as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat on Saturday.

The result sees them slip to fourth place in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West, seven points behind leaders Cinderford Town.

Mark Gee’s side are in need of a profitable Christmas holiday period if they are to get back into title contention.

On Boxing Day, they entertain Oxfordshire derby rivals Didcot Town, and then on Saturday January 2 they visit Marlow.

The Millers got off to a great start as Simon Hole curled a free-kick past Taunton goalkeeper Lloyd Irish for an eighth-minute lead.

But the sides went into the break level when Hole was penalised for pushing in the area and Jordan Rogers made no mistake from the spot.

And the hosts went 2-1 ahead in extraordinary fashion on 57 minutes.

Home keeper Irish took a free-kick inside the Taunton half, which sailed towards North Leigh keeper James Foster and bounced over his head and into the net.

On 70 minutes Rogers received his second caution for another foul and was dismissed.

With Leigh facing ten men they attacked at every opportunity, but with the home side packing their defence opportunities were few.

Callum McNish fired over the bar and both Morgan Williams and Steve Davies made penetrating runs down both flanks without being able to come up with an effective end product.

North Leigh: Foster, Else, Hopkins (Fullerton 26), Turk, Westlake, Hole, Davies, Osborne-Ricketts, Cook (Saunders 87), McNish, Williams. Subs not used: White, Taylor.

Attendance: 285.