North Leigh’s Division 1 South & West play-off hopes suffered a big blow when they lost 2-0 on their first Evo-Stik Southern League visit to Larkhall Athletic on Saturday.

The hosts, who occupy the final play-off place, now have a six-point advantage over the Millers, who succumbed to a goal at either end of the second half.

In the opening, Dan Jones hit Larkhall’s best chance over the bar, while at the other end Michael Hopkins’s free-kick was well saved by home keeper Josh Barrington.

With North Leigh playing down the slope in the second half, they conceded a goal inside a minute.

Barrington’s long clearance caught the Millers’ defence off guard. The ball was gathered by Joe Tumelty, who centred for striker Tyler Sibbick to score at the second attempt.

This setback prompted an all-out attack from North Leigh that lasted virtually the whole of the half.

Hopkins tested the keeper while Aaron Woodley whistled a cross shot past a post.

Although the Millers continued to attack through Jamie Cook, Callum McNish and Kieran Sanders, they could not find the breakthrough.

Then in the 88th minute, another breakaway saw Tumelty produce a cool finish finish from ten yards.

North Leigh: Bulman, Hole, Hopkins, Turk, Gunn, Westlake, Woodley, McNish, Cook, Sanders (Caton 73), Williams (Else 63). Sub not used: Osborne-Ricketts.

Attendance: 115