LEIGH RMI have suffered another body-blow with the resignation of manager Steve Bleasdale.

The Hilton Park side, relegated from the Conference at the end of a disastrous season, were hoping he would be in charge for their forthcoming Conference North campaign, but instead Bleasdale has renewed his successful partnership with Mark Wright.

The former Liverpool and England international immediately asked Bleasdale to join him after he took charge at Division Two Peterborough from chairman Barry Fry, who stepped down as manager following relegation, .

Leigh chairman Bill Taylor said: "I am upset at his resignation because I dont know how much bad luck we can take.

"Steve knows his football and did well for us on a very limited wage bill. The performances towards the end of the season gave some credibility back to the club.

"He told me he did not want to leave Leigh as he wanted to make a mark with them in the Conference North, but he was made an offer he could not refuse."

Bleasdale forged a successful partnership with Wright at Chester and Southport before joining the Railwaymen in February when Geoff Lutley was sacked after only 13 games at the helm.

Bleasdale was RMI's third manager of the season and the club ended their five years in the Conference with just four wins and notched up only 18 points, to equal the lowest previously recorded by Redditch.

Taylor said that an important board meeting will be held on Tuesday when the club's financial position and the appointment of a new manager will be discussed.