Black's spot on as RMI rescue a point SPOT king Tony Black came to RMI's rescue with the 88th minute penalty that preserved his team's six-match unbeaten run.

Trailing to a freak own goal, RMI needed Black's fourth successful spot kick of the season to maintain their position in the leading third of the Nationwide Conference.

But had Telford keeper Ryan Price not had an inspired three minute spell just after half time, maximum points would have been in the bag long before Steve Jones was upended in the box.

Neither side could make much in the way of openings in a tight and tense first half but after the break the game opened up and RMI had three glorious opportunities to break the deadlock.

Jones' inviting cross to the back post found Ian Monk but his goalbound header was acrobatically tipped onto the bar by Price, an ex-Wanderers youth player. The rebound fell invitingly for top scorer Black but he was left holding his head as Price somehow managed to get down and instinctively block his right-foot volley.

Within minutes Price denied Black again, the Leigh striker played in by Dave Ridings' clever pass. Black was half turning in celebration as Price flung himself to his right and turned the shot away for another corner.

Leigh were cursing their luck when Telford broke away and snatched an unlikely lead. A mix-up on the edge of the Leigh box gave possession away and when Dave Felgate fumbled a low drive across goal from Jake Edwards, RMI skipper Andy Farrell somehow managed to bundle the ball over his own line.

When an unmarked Jones blasted wide from just six yards, Leigh perhaps felt it wasn't going to be their day.

They should have fallen 2-0 behind when Steve Palmer found himself in the clear with only Felgate to beat, but the veteran keeper used all his experience to rush Palmer into shooting early and he was able to block.

The fans were already drifting towards the exits when Jones took matters into his own hands. Running at speed into the Telford box, the winger found himself the meat in a two-man sandwich. Down he went and in went Black's driven penalty.

Honours even - and just about right. LEIGH: Felgate, Scott, German, Udall, Farrell, Swan, Kielty, Ridings, Monk, Black, Jones. Subs used: Matthews (for Udall 74), Harris (for Monk 85). Not used: Mason, Devenney, Dootson.

GOALS: Farrell og 54; Black pen 88.

BOOKED: Bentley (Telford) foul 44; Jobling (Telford) dissent 45; Davies (Telford) foul 55; Albrighton (Telford) foul 60; Palmer (Telford) foul 79.

HALF TIME: 0-0. FULL TIME 1-1.

ATTENDANCE: 582