North Leigh were held to their first draw of the season in a goalless stalemate in Tiverton, with both sides reduced to ten men in the second-half.

James Organ was sent off, before Tiverton’s Ed Palmer saw red in a result that saw the Millers slip to third in Division 1 South & West.

The hosts started brightly, with Paul White kept very busy in the North Leigh goal.

However, on nine minutes the visitors should have gone ahead. Morgan Williams floated a teasing free kick to the back post only for Zak Westlake’s header to flash wide of the far post with home keeper Mike Searle beaten.

At the other end, Westlake allowed a long ball forward to bounce past him, leaving Tiverton striker Max Kowal clear on goal.

However, White was quickly out of his goal to hoof clear.

Just before half-time Marcus Martin saw his header flash wide of a North Leigh upright.

The Millers withstood severe home pressure at the start of the second half. But after weathering the storm, North Leigh created some attacks of their own.

Williams tested Searle with a long-range effort on 55 minutes.

North Leigh were reduced to ten men on 66 minutes when Organ was dismissed for two cautions.

The home side’s numerical advantage lasted three minutes, however, as Palmer walked after getting a second yellow.

The dismissals actually seemed to make it a much better, more open game.

White made a good save on 74 minutes from a right-wing cross.

It was Tiverton who looked most likely to win it in the final minutes, however, they were not able to create any clear-cut chances, as the North Leigh defence held firm.

North Leigh: White, Hole, Organ, Turk, Gunn,Westlake, Else, Osborne-Ricketts (Walcott 75), McDonagh (Dobson 63), Bowles, Williams. Sub not used: Alexis.

Attendance: 206.