LEIGH RMI's hopes of continuing their momentum in the Nationwide Conference were dashed last night as their six-pointer with fellow relegation candidates Stalybridge Celtic was a victim of the weather.

Leigh, unbeaten in their last four league matches, were frustrated in the Bower Fold fixture 55 minutes before the scheduled kick-off when referee Pollock deemed the Bower Fold pitch unplayable.

With a full squad to choose from for last night's match, Steve Waywell was understandably frustrated with the outcome.

He said:"At the end of the day, I think that the officials were right to give the game a chance to be played by leaving it as late as possible and that is where we went wrong in our game with Stalybridge on Boxing Day.

"In all fairness to the officials, they had made the right decision because the pitch was certainly not playable. However, the game does need to be played and the sooner the better as far as we are concerned.

"In this kind of form at the moment we need a game, it is as simple as that. In all honesty, I am a bit upset that we were unable to arrange one for Saturday because it means that we have a 14-day break at a critical time in the season.

"All of the players would have been fit for the game and that is why I am so disappointed that it hasn't been played."

Officials hope to play the match next Tuesday but that could be complicated should Stalybridge need a replay for their FA Trophy 5th Round match on that date.