BANBURY United boosted their play-off bid with a 3-1 win at home to North Leigh, opening up a six-point gap over their local rivals.

In a match where both sides were restricted to ten men, goals from Mark Bell, Zac McEachran and Ricky Johnson saw the Puritans move up to fourth in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West.

It was the hosts who opened the scoring on 32 minutes when Bell’s shot found the top corner.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0 after McEachran beat three challenges before slotting past James Foster.

North Leigh began the second half well, pulling one back on 51 minutes with Sam Elkins’ header.

Bell was then shown a straight red card for a poor challenge on Stuart Hole in the 70th minute and shortly after Zak Westlake was dismissed for the Millers after a foul on Callum White.

Banbury made the game safe when Johnson headed home.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Welch-Hayes (Steedman 83), Nash, Westbrook, Gunn, McEachran (Browne 65), Stanbridge, Johnson, Howards (Barcelos 59), Bell. Subs not used: Wise, Martin.