North Leigh 1 (Hope 14 pen)

Cinderford Tn 1 (Bevan 87)

A late goal denied North Leigh victory in Division 1 South & West on Saturday.

On a pitch that had been passed playable shortly before the start, Cinderford started strongly.

Only a fine save from home keeper Lewis Sommer and a great tackle by Chris Huxley prevented them taking the lead through efforts from Simon Truman and Chris Hartland.

However, after 14 minutes, North Leigh's Liam Hope was tripped in the box as he cut in.

Hope coolly dispatched the resulting penalty.

The hosts had chances to increase their lead. Karl Dodds saw header well-saved by keeper Matt Bath, while Paul Cooper twice went close.

Early in the second half, North Leigh were denied an obvious penalty when referee Mark Mellor deemed that Andy McCabe was brought down on the edge of the box, rather than inside it.

Hope twice had shots cleared off the line and then headed just wide from Simon Futcher’s free-kick.

The inevitable equaliser by Cinderford came on 87 minutes.

Following a defensive slip, a long ball down the centre was chased by Cinderford substitute Jody Bevan, who flicked the ball past Farrow into the unguarded net to claim a lucky point for the visitors.