Rebels go top

Paul Coyne's strike sends the Rebels top of the Evo-Stik Southern Division One Central with a 1-0 victory over Leighton Town.

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Paul Coyne's second half strike and a penalty save from James Warrington helped send Steve Bateman's men top of the Evo-Stik Southern Division One Central league with a 1-0 victory at Leighton Town.

It is often said that “winning ugly”, or when not at your best, is the sign of a team capable of challenging for a league title – and Slough fans will be hoping this holds true after witnessing a tight, scrappy affair settled by another Paul Coyne blockbuster, and without the services of the suspended Nathan Bowden-Haase and Adam Martin.

Simon Sweeney returned to the starting eleven in the place of Bowden-Haase as Steve Bateman stuck with the same system that worked so well against Rugby Town the previous Saturday.

Steve Perkins fired over from 30 yards early on, but Slough's only real goal threat in the first half came from Alex Brown's header, which hit the Leighton crossbar from a free kick - with Perkins’s shot on the follow-up well blocked.

Leighton had a lot of the ball without creating anything of note, but in a livelier second half, Sonner headed over from four yards out in the clearest chance so far.

But minutes later, Coyne gave the Rebels the lead with an exquisite shot from the edge of the box with the outside of his right boot after Danny Murphy's corner had been initially cleared – the midfielder’s fourth goal of the season, having only managed one in the whole of the last campaign.

Leighton were awarded a penalty shortly after when Steve Perkins was adjudged to have fouled his man in the box, but goalkeeper Warrington saved well from Ben Gallant's weak low spot kick, the custodian diving to his left to claim the ball.

Warrington made an equally impressive stop to deny Gallant from closer range, and was also alert to parry away a fiercely-struck shot from Jake Bewley from a narrow angle.

Slough saw out the remainder of the game with few concerns and avenge The Reds’ league double over the Rebels last season.