LEIGH RMI boss Phil Starbuck will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways when they take on Unibond League Stalybridge Celtic in the FA Trophy writes Robert Johnson

RMI have lost four games in a row and leaked 15 goals in the Nationwide Conference, which has seen the Railwaymen slip deeper into relegation trouble.

Saturday's game will be a welcome break from the league for Starbuck, when former RMI boss Dave Miller brings his Stalybridge Celtic team to Hilton Park for the third round tie.

The Railwaymen's squad has been hit hard by injuries with Wayne Maden, (broken nose), Neil Durkin (groin injury), and Gary Kelly (broken thumb), all out.

Starbuck, right, said: "The Stalybridge game will be a welcome respite from the league and will be another competition for the lads to be involved in. Hopefully we can get some much needed confidence back after losing four games in a row in the league.

"Losing against Chester City was no disgarce. They were too good and should be crowned league champions. Against Woking last Saturday we showed a lack of passion and concentration in the first half. In the second half I talked to them at half time and it was a different story. Players started to compete."

Starbuck's long search for a striker to partner top goalscorer Dave McNiven looks set to come to an end today (Thursday) when Carl Alford and Chris McHale sign for the Railwaymen.

Alford, a proven hitman in the Conference, has been signed after being released by Unibond League team Gainsborough Trinity, while McHale is from Burscough.

They will not be available for Saturday's game, but will go straight into the squad for next week's league game against Farnborough Town.