LEIGH Miners Rangers were left kicking their heels last Saturday when scheduled National Conference Premier Division leaders Redhill suffered a coach breakdown en route and were unable to complete the journey to Twist Lane.

With Miners in fine form they could have done without the interruption, especially at this stage of a season that is already backlogged into May. But at least the waterlogged Twist Lane pitch was saved a battering ahead of the midweek visit of Leigh Centurions' Alliance against Batley.

It all means that the Miners have six games left to play with Saddleworth and Thornhill as well as Redhill to come to Twist Lane and away matches at Oldham St Annes and Dudley Hill.

First up though is a visit to relegation-haunted Walney Central tomorrow in a reversal of a fixture played at Leigh last month. On that occasion Miners emerged narrow victors over the second-bottom Cumbrians; but there were signs then that Walney are a rugged, battling side when the chips were down and they are a different kettle of fish on their postage stamp-sized Central Park ground.

Already West Hull and Woolston have lost in Barrow and the Miners must be on their guard as they bid for a top three finish.

Warren Ayres' only injury worry is full-back Matt Irwin who suffered a gash over his eye after a training ground collision last week. The return of speedster Steve Cawley should compensate.