LEIGH RMI are safe!

Their gutsy, workmanlike performance earned a 1-0 win at Kettering Town and, combined with results elsewhere, was good enough to elevate the Railwaymen to 18th position when stumps were drawn on their third season in their Nationwide Conference.

Goalkeeper Stuart Coburn made a number of fine first half saves for RMI during a tense affair at Rockingham Road, but despite a phenomenal season, Mark Patterson insists he's going nowhere: "Stuart's an excellent goalkeeper. He's a great shot-stopper but he needs to work a bit on his communication and his kicking to make him the definite article.

"But he's still got 12 months left on his contract, so as far as I'm concerned, he's staying at Hilton Park."

Coburn produced a gravity defying one-handed save to deny Shaun Murray from a free-kick in the tenth minute and had already pushed a header from Matthews over the top. He was powerless to stop a fizzing volley from Victor Asombang but was fortunate enough to watch it cannon off an upright and to safety.

But Leigh plugged away while old colleague Dino Maamria was giving them a helping hand with a goal for Stevenage against Southport that pushed the Sandgrounders to relegation.

Keith Scott used his aerial prowess to reach balls from Neil Fitzhenry and Ian Monk but he misdirected both wide of the target before finally getting on the money midway through the second half.

His goal preserved Mark Patterson's proud record of never having been relegated either as a player, coach or manager.

And all of Leigh should drink to that.