Chester 2 Leigh RMI 1 by Martyn Hindley

LEIGH RMI managed to keep Michael Twiss at bay but they couldn't prevent Chester City walking away with the points at the Deva Stadium.

The visitors were depleted by the loss of central defender Gerry Harrison and full back Dominic Ludden through injury, but still came close to earning a share of the spoils against the side tipped to win the Conference in May.

Steve Waywell's men hadn't gained anything on their travels before this match and the Deesiders had conceded just one goal but any thoughts that this contest might be a foregone conclusion were eradicated midway through the first half.

Ian Monk went on a rare attacking excursion down the right, cruised inside Wayne Hatswell and drilled the ball low into the danger zone. There were no Leigh players in support but Chris Blackburn's clearance fortuitously hit Scott Guyett and dribbled behind the line for an own goal.

The small visiting contingent were jubilant but the goal was far from a fair representation of the game and it was only a matter of time before City hauled themselves back into contention. Poor defending allowed Blackburn's effort from the edge of the area to cannon off post and goalkeeper before Ryan Sugden nipped in to equalise.

Sugden's strike seemed to spur on the hosts as they went in for the kill. Stuart Coburn was a temporary hero for RMI as he saved a penalty from Mark Beesley following Wayne Maden's spectacular lunge at Twiss.

But the third 1-1 draw in as many seasons for this fixture was inevitably denied four minutes from time. Kevin McIntyre put the ball across the face of the area and after a frantic goal mouth scramble, Beesley atoned for his penalty miss by smashing home from close range.

It was Leigh's fourth defeat in as many games away from Hilton Park.