CALOR LEAGUE

North Leigh                  1 (Bell 73)
Paulton Rovers             1 (McCootie 85 pen)

NORTH Leigh had Wayne Turk sent off as they were pegged back to a draw by promotion-chasing visitors Paulton Rovers in Division 1 South & West on Saturday.

Turk was dismissed by referee Sian Piret after conceding the penalty that led to Nick McCootie scoring the equaliser.

Despite this, the Millers ended the season in seventh with their highest Southern League points total.

A few weeks ago, this final game of the season looked to be a crackerjack with both teams pushing for a play-off place.

But with Paulton having already achieved that objective and the Millers just falling short, the game was a mild affair with the result purely one of pride.

Although North Leigh’s build-up play was slick as they cut through the Paulton defence, attacks frequently broke down as the final pass was blocked, cleared or went astray.

Mark Bell went close with the Millers’ best effort on 29 minutes after beating a couple of defenders.

Just before the break, Paulton were awarded a penalty after Aaron Woodley was ruled to have fouled Mike Perrot in the box.

But Adam McHugh dived to his right to push out the spot-kick which was subsequently cleared.

After the break, the game opened up and the hosts, who had the majority of the play, gained the breakthrough on 73 minutes.

Bell scored from close range after Woodley dribbled past three defenders to set him up.

Paulton were awarded a second penalty on 85 minutes after Turk diverted a goalbound shot over the bar with his hand. McCootie made no mistake.

North Leigh: McHugh, Hole, Hopkins, Malone, Gunn, Westlake (Caton 78), Else (McDonagh 67), Osborne-Ricketts (Turk 38), Williams, Woodley, Bell. Subs not used: Clark, Walcott.

Attendance: 78.