IT'S back to Square One for Leigh RMI after they squandered the chance of reaching the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.

It should have been plain sailing against Crook Town. But a whole host of missed opportunities cost them dear in a 1-1 draw.

Manager Steve Waywell was angry at the way his side had failed to progress at the first attempt.

"Our opponents were not a good side," he said. "And it is disappointing we can't beat a team like that.

"In every game we have to score two goals to win because we always seem to concede one. We had lots of chances to score and those missed opportunities put pressure on the back four."

RMI had the best possible start with a goal inside three minutes from striker Tony Black who raced onto Dave Ridings free-kick and then chipped over the keeper.

The visitors rarely had a sniff of goal in the first half while RMI had several chances to make the game safe. But Black, in particular, was the culprit on several occasions.

The pacey striker again had the best chances after the break but failed to capitalise and Leigh paid the price in the 78th minute.

A corner, so often RMI's Achilles heel, proved their undoing when David Bellamy's inswinging cross caught the head of Ridings who unfortunately deflected it into his own net. Cruel luck but a painful reminder of lost opportunities.

LEIGH ATHLETIC, suffering from last week's 6-0 drubbing, were looking for a better start against Bedians.

But it didn't look good after 20 minutes with three goals already conceded.

But this time they provided a better finish to tally for a 4-4 draw. Pickles, Wilson and Lewis levelled it, Sumner scored in the second half but Bedians pulled it back late on.

Athletic Reserves beat Rochdale 1-0, Mark Fielding on target on 80 minutes. Fine play from Danny Ashton and Sam Hammond.

Athletic 4th beat Hesketh 8-2, an outstanding show keeping Rob Appleton's side top of the league.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.