LEIGH RMI will go into the final two months of their battle against relegation from the Nationwide Conference with a massive boost after managing to keep goalkeeper Mark Westhead and defender Gerry Harrison at the club.

Both were the subject of enticing offers from other clubs in the past two weeks and having no money and therefore no bargaining power in the subsequent negotiations, manager Steve Waywell was resigned to losing them at a crucial stage in the season.

Westhead was the subject of a 'seven day notice' from League of Wales leaders Barry Town - a professional outfit whose wage structures are far higher than those at the cash-strapped Hilton Park club. However, Barry signed two other goalkeepers in that time, meaning that Westhead was free to stay at RMI for the near future at least.

As he lined up against Hereford last week though, his team-mate Harrison was earning rave reviews from the opposition, who offered him a full-time contract after seeing his dominating performance shut out the Bulls. That offer was also declined and Harrison was also in the squad that managed to scrape a draw against Barnet at the weekend.

Waywell was delighted that two vital members of his squad will be availabe for the crucial run-in. "I would love to sign both players on a contract-basis but you are asking the wrong person about their future because they are free agents and they can go at any time."

RMI's next home game is on Tuesday, March 5 when Stalybridge Celtic are the visitors in a must-win relegation six-pointer.

RMI are left with no fixture this week as their original opponents, Forest Green Rovers, are involved in FA Trophy action at Stevenage Borough.