MARK Fish was back in action as a Wanderers X1 beat Leigh RMI 1-0 on Tuesday.

After a summer in which he appeared to be leaving Bolton, Fish was back wearing a Reebok shirt in the Hilton Park friendly.

The South African, who quit international football in February after gaining 58 caps for his country to concentrate on his club career, looked set for a big money move to the Premiership when the Charlton and Wanderers agreed a fee.

He had to stay behind in England due to visa problems when the first team squad spent 10 days of intensive training in America.

Only one goal separated these two clubs but what a cracker it was - and from an unexpected source.

Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce included two trialists along with Fish and first and second year pros and it was one of those trialists, Italian Manuel, who scored the wonder goal on the hour.

He tricked a couple of defenders before curling a 20-yarder into the top corner.

"It was an excellent workout for us sealed with a cracking goal," said Allardyce. "But RMI didn't take their chances, and that's the name of the game."

The Bolton boss also took the opportunity to run the rule over Hilton Park where his Reserves will play this season.

"The pitch looks in good condition and the improvements to the ground are tremendous".

And of RMI's chances in the Conference: "I hope they do well but it will be a tough struggle. The Conference standard is good and a big step up from the UniBond".

Leigh assistant Dave Miller thought a draw would have been a fair result. "We could even have gone on to win it with a little bit of luck."

Steve Jones rattled the bar and Tony Black missed an open goal after James Evans had parried another Jones effort in a one-to-one. Black's claims for a penalty after a challenge by the impressive Wayne Buchanan was turned down.

Miller, who has lost Mark Winstanley to Carlisle, added: "There are still places up for grabs. We wish Mark well, but we still have sufficient cover in the centre of defence."

Leigh RMI: Felgate, Durkin, German, Farrell, Udall, Harris, Monk, Ridings, Matthews, Black, Jones. Subs: Mason, Swan, Critchley, Reid, Kielty, Dootson.

Wanderers: Evans, Bowker, Haveron, Norris, Buchanan, Fish, Boyak, Diehl, Snorrason, Leston, Wheatcroft. Subs: Manuel, Williams, Stefan, O'Connor, Tague, Kaprielian, Crumblehulme.