Leigh RMI 2 Dagenham and Redbridge 0 by Martyn Hindley

ANDY Heald continued his exhilarating form at Leigh RMI as victory over promotion hopefuls Dagenham and Redbridge at Hilton Park almost guaranteed them Conference football next season.

For the first time this season, the Railwaymen find themselves in the dizzy heights of the top half of the table.

His RMI career disrupted by injury and omission, Heald got his chance at left-back last week at Forest Green but highlighted his flexibility against the Daggers by playing just behind the front two of Marcus Hallows and Michael Twiss and gave the Essex side a torrid time all afternoon.

Fire-power in attack

Without Dino Maamria and Tony Black through suspension and injury, Leigh fans would be forgiven for wondering where their fire-power in attack would come from but two well deserved goals in seven second half minutes answered any queries.

Frustration for the home side looked set to continue 16 minutes from time when after a promising period of pressure, Dave German dwelt on the ball 25 yards out and seemed to have lost momentum. Cool as ever though, the gritty full-back dug out an exquisite chip back into the danger zone where Hallows flicked on and Twiss connected at the far post to smash past substitute goalkeeper Paul Gathered from point blank range.

Regular 'keeper Tony Reports had to leave the field thirteen minutes into the second half when he collided with midfielder Dave Ridings while challenging for a 50-50 ball.

Ex-England semi-professional star Gathered must have been dreaming of his bench again once Leigh had doubled their lead and killed off any remaining resistance that the Seconders had to offer.

Again, German was at the heart of the move as he tumbled under a challenge from Mark Smith and as players and spectators looked towards the officials to award a penalty, Hallows thrashed a right foot shot into the top corner to seal only the sixth home win of the season for RMI.

It was a deserved three points for Steve Waywell's men, helped in no small part by a pitch that was worthy of high praise after the high criticism bestowed upon it in recent weeks. RMI offer their success in part to the hard work and dedication of groundsman Billy Lea.

Geoff Chapple's Woking take on the Railwaymen down in Surrey on Saturday with Leigh playing host to Scarborough on Easter Monday at Hilton Park.