CONFERENCE side Leigh RMI held their nerve to overturn a half-time deficit and finish ready winners of the Marsden Lancashire Trophy first round match at Victory Park last night.

The Magpies showed plenty of character in recovering from the loss of an early goal to go in front through two strikes by leading scorer Andy Mason, relishing the chance to make his mark against his old club.

But once Leigh had scored a disputed equaliser within ten minutes of the restart there was only going to be one winner.

Ian Monk and Dino Maamria combined down the right, the latter laying the ball back for Ged Kielty to shoot RMI ahead after just four minutes.

But on eight minutes the Magpies were level. David Eatock's shot was blocked but he regained possession to slip the ball across goal for Mason to sidefoot into the net.

Chorley struck again in the 23rd minute when, from Eatock's corner, Mason got up to plant a firm downward header past Dave Felgate.

Leigh's equaliser came on 54 minutes when RMI broke down the left and though there appeared to be an infringement, the unmarked Maamria converted the cross with ease. Marsh was booked for protesting.

Leigh took the lead on the hour when Maamria slotted a shot through the luckless Marsh's legs. Chorley almost snatched an equaliser when Danny Mills' header was tipped round the post but a curling shot by Leigh sub Andy Heald after 73 minutes settled the tie.

CHORLEY...2 LEIGH RMI...4