WIMBORNE Town missed the chance to close the gap on the chasing pack when they were soundly beaten by Southern League Division One South & West rivals North Leigh last night.

The Magpies had been looking to build on Saturday’s impressive victory over play-off hopefuls Larkhall Athletic but were outgunned 4-1 by the slick Oxfordshire outfit at Cuthbury.

North Leigh, who dominated for long periods, were rewarded for their early endeavours when much-travelled striker Jamie Cook gave them a 15th-minute lead.

The 35-year-old eluded the Wimborne defence and was on hand at the far post to turn home a deflected cross from flying winger Aaron Woodley.

Jon Blake saw his first-time effort well saved by visiting goalkeeper Matt Bulman before Wimborne were gifted an opportunity to restore parity from the penalty spot after 28 minutes.

Jamie Davidson was heading towards the corner flag and chasing a loose ball when he was needlessly shoved to the ground by North Leigh defender Jon Else.

And after referee Alex Fisher had pointed to the spot, Magpies’ leading goalscorer Mark Gamble made no mistake when he fired emphatically past Bulman.

North Leigh, who had started the clash four points ahead of Wimborne, effectively wrapped up the points when they scored three times in 13 minutes early in the second half.

Firstly, Morgan Williams capitalised on some ponderous defending before his scuffed finish found its way past Jason Harvell and trickled in off the post.

Cook, who lists Oxford United and Crawley Town among his former clubs, was again in the right place to score, his second from a Williams cross coming after 55 minutes.

Woodley then posted a Southern League goal-of-the-season contender to make it 4-1, his thunderous drive from 20 yards flying over Harvell’s head and into the back of the net.

Magpies: Harvell, Biles, Lupton (Oliver, h-t), Maybury, Costello, Blake, Griffin (Kemble, 73), Davidson, Kellaway (Holmes, 57), Gamble, Stokoe. Unused subs: Arnold, Waters.