The home side shot out of the blocks and bagged an early goal through Derek Krogh before Aaron Kemp converted a spot kick to establish a 2-0 lead after only 15 minutes.

Leeton responded with positive play and dominated possession until halftime, striking a blow just before the siren after a series of corners finally paid dividends.

Cootamundra’s Steve Armstrong took the limelight in the second half, blasting a goal off the back of some stellar interplay.

Leeton pressed hard and were rewarded with another goal but couldn’t reel in the Strikers, who move to fifth on the Pascoe Cup ladder.

“We came out firing and I think that set us up for the game,” Cootamundra skipper Adam McPhail said.

“We had a really big lapse in the middle and were really put under the pump before halftime.

“It wasn’t a pretty game but we got there.”

Leeton coach Mick Doolin bemoaned his side’s lack of urgency in the opening 20 minutes and laid down a challenge to his players to improve.

“We were asleep early on and that set the tone,” he said.

“We’re creating chances and playing some good football but we’re playing inconsistently and we need to improve in that regard.”

Dooling noted the absence of nine regular starters but doffed his cap to a fine defensive performance from the Strikers.

“We had a fair few boys out but that’s no excuse,” he said.

“The Strikers keeper had a marvellous game in goals and sometimes it’s just not your day.”

McPhail is nevertheless seeking improvements from his troops ahead of next weekend’s clash with Young, who put on a defensive clinic to keep Lake Albert scoreless on Saturday night.

“These wins won’t mean anything if we can’t lift and play even better against the top sides,” he said.

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