Leigh RMI 1 Stalybridge Celtic 0 by David Magilton

LEIGH boss Steve Waywell believes his side are just three wins from ensuring Conference survival for the second time.

A month ago RMI were languishing just one point above the drop zone but an astonishing seven match unbeaten run with five wins has put them firmly in the comfort zone.

Six points taken off rivals Stalybridge in a week with two 1-0 wins was just what the doctor ordered and just what they deserved.

They created far more chances than the visitors who were only kept in the game by several outstanding saves from keeper Leigh Walker.

His agility left young striker Michael Twiss frustrated in the first-half after the striker failed to add to his four goals in as many games despite having a hatful of scoring opportunities. The keeper continued to deny the RMI strikers after the break and it took a wicked deflection 10 minutes from time to deny him a clean sheet.

Marcus Hallows, deputising for the injured Dino Maamria, produced a battling display and it was that quality that ensured he won the ball and fed the influential Ged Kielty on the edge of the box.

The midfielder, who had been the instigator of so many of RMI's attacks, shot on the turn and the ball deflected off big defender Ben Futcher and looped over the keeper into the back of the net.

Leigh had the rub of the green minutes from time when Futcher won a header from a corner but fortunately the ball rebounded off Neil Fisher to safety. "It is tremendous form we are in at the moment and we were very patient," said Waywell. "I knew they would try and shut the door on us and try and hit us on the break but we coped well.

"The keeper pulled off three or four fantastic saves. It wasn't a good performance but it is results that matter at this stage of the season.

"We are 10 points clear of relegation which is a nice cushion to have. I would have been happy with four points from our last three games and we have got seven. But we still have plenty of hard work to do. We still need three wins to mke us safe."