North Leigh kept alive their Division 1 South & West play-off hopes with an edgy victory over basement boys Andover at Eynsham Park on Saturday.

It means that North Leigh, who travel to Bishops Cleeve today, must hope that Thatcham slip up against Andover to pinch the last play-off spot.

The hosts were unlucky not to go ahead on 18 minutes when Andy Caton’s header rebounded off a post and, amazingly, Matty Taylor’s follow-up strike was tipped onto the same post by Andover keeper Josh Cottrell.

Andover were rescued by the woodwork for a third time on the half hour when a 25-yard free-kick from Michael Hopkins curled over the Andover wall, only to rebound away to safety off the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken on eight minutes before the break when a Caton run ended with Taylor slotting low under Cottrell for his 39th goal of the season in all competitions.

After Cottrell denied Taylor, Kieron Sanders doubled North Leigh’s lead just before the break when his 20-yard shot was deflected past Cottrell into the bottom corner of the net.

Andover reduced the deficit with 20 minutes remaining when substitute Claudio Herbert headed home from a corner to set the home sides nerves janging.

Chances were limited at both ends as North Leigh kept possession well in the closing stages to secure a narrow, but vital win.

North Leigh: Lonsdale, Hole, Hopkins, Clark (Futcher 65), Huxley, Franklin, Dutton-Black (Reardon 55), Burnell, Taylor, Caton, Sanders (Saunders 65). Subs not used: Bowles, Beames.

Attendance: 66.