Leigh RMI 1

Kettering Town 0 LEIGH RMI took all three points to complete a league double over last years FA Trophy finallists Kettering on Tuesday, but were handed a few scares along the way.

As the Railwaymen provided a disappointing display, the 'Poppies' almost broke the deadlock as early as the sixth minute when Niall Inman's long range effort forced Dootson into an agile reflex save to tip the ball around the post. Matt Fisher found himself in a similar position for the Northamptonshire outfit midway through the half, but blazed wide.

It is undeniable that the players could not have been roused by the abysmal attendance that fails to reflect the success that Steve Waywell and his men have enjoyed this season. 351 was the lowest Conference gate at Hilton Park this season on a night when RMI rose to a meteoric fourth in the Nationwide Conference.

All was silent until Ian Monk found himself through on goal in the 23rd minute, but the ex-Morecambe winger had a poor first touch and Ian Bowling raced out of his goal to smother the danger.

It was the only action of a poor first half, although Leigh started the second with more vigour and purpose about their play. Ridings' free-kick was met by the powerful figure of Iain Swan, but the centre-half could not hit the target with his header, and it seemed that for the third time this season Leigh would fail to record a goal.

It was a far cry from Saturday afternoon, when goalmouth action had been far from scarce and incident never far away in front of a big crowd. However, Leigh stepped up the pace and looked increasingly likely to score from 60 minutes onwards.

Tony Black, confident after ending his goal draught at Nene Park, cut inside from the right wing and shot narrowly wide, and, appetite whetted, netted the winner with 18 minutes remaining following an excellent pass from Ridings which was lashed past Bowling.

Inbetween times, both sides had opportunities to break the stalemate. Monk dispossessed Colin Vowden on the left -wing and cut back for Black for whom it seemed more difficult to miss than score, cue many perplexed faces in the crowd when the ball trickled the wrong side of the target. At the other end, Dale Watkins had dummied Dave German, and failed to realise the space he had made before his snap-shot drifted aimlessly wide.

Leigh were boosted by late opportunities to increase the margin, but held onto their 1-0 victory, which extends their unbeaten home run to six games.

They would also have been elated to hear Steve Waywell's denial of rumours that he was prepared to sign for UniBond League side Altrincham. The Leigh manager dismissed the comments, saying that it was "the first I have heard of it."

RMI: Dootson, Spooner (Trees 62), German, Durkin, Farrell, Swan, Monk, Ridings, Kielty, Black, Jones. Subs not used: Gardner, Hayder, O'Connor. Attendance: 351