LEIGH RMI will have to stave off the persistent threat of the weather if their Conference clash at Stalybridge is to eventually go ahead tonight, kick off 7.45pm.

Bower Fold was hit by the 'big freeze' to thwart the New Years Day clash on Thameside and last Tuesday the heavens opened to force referee Pollock to postpone the match for a second time less than an hour before kick-off

The match is the first of five crucial games in 15 days for the Railwaymen as they aim to pull away from the relegation zone but heavy and continuous rainfall over the last week has cast the game into doubt and supporters are advised to check the status of the game before travelling.

Celtic will be tough to beat should the fixture get the go-ahead though, after their 2-0 weekend win over Gravesend and Northfleet allowed their unbeaten run to extend to six games.

An important member of their squad will be midfielder Steve Pickford, who was discarded by Steve Waywell after just a handful of games for RMI three years ago and will be out to prove a point against his former club in what should be a rivetting six-pointer. Leigh, who have gone four league games without defeat and have a full squad to choose from, will be unfazed by Stalybridge's form as their victory at Hereford ended the Bulls' 10 game unbeaten run less than three weeks ago.

The magnitude of that achievement was highlighted last week when United notched four in a surprise victory at title challengers Boston United.