Leigh RMI 2 Scarborough 1 (Leigh win on Golden Goal)

RMI made a dramatic late comeback to progress to the next round of the LDV Vans Trophy where they are certain to meet a Football League side writes Martyn Hindley

Leigh looked destined to be eliminated after Scarborough had taken the lead three minutes into the second half on Tuesday's Hilton Park tie

Iain Swan's error allowed David Pounder to capitalise and slam the ball past Mark Westhead from close range.

It was a difficult lesson for Steve Waywell's men to learn after missing a whole host of first half chances to take the lead. After only three minutes, Dino Maamria flashed his 10-yard effort against the crossbar and Ged Kielty struck his half-volley wide of the right-hand post moments later. RMI chances were coming thick and fast, but Tony Black missed a gilt-edged opportunity when he broke away from Marcus Jones and fired straight at Woods.

New signing Lee Fitzpatrick was pulling all the strings for RMI in midfield but it was not until he was replaced by Andy Heald midway through the second half that Leigh started to threaten the Scarborough goal. Heald it was that handed Leigh their lifeline when the former Morecambe midfielder latched on to Kielty's testing cross and nodded home after Neil Fisher's hard work in midfield had created the opportunity.

From that moment onwards, Leigh played with the flair and finesse that saw them qualify for the competition last term.

Their midfield creativity was at variance to that of their last two games at home and they almost snatched the game in dramatic fashion seconds into stoppage time with a frantic goalmouth scramble.

Miscued clearance

Fisher received the ball 20-yards out after Woods miscued the clearance and when his shot was deflected into the path of Maamria, it seemed as though Leigh were heading towards round two. However, the former Southport striker had his shot smothered from eight yards, Kielty thumped the rebound straight at Fitzsimmons and Phil Salt's follow-up was unlucky to deflect off the outside of a post.

Failure to secure a winner in the 90 minutes meant that the tie was forced into extra-time although it took only seconds for the game to be settled. The golden goal rule was enforced when Maamria netted the winning penalty after being brought down by Andy Woods. The goalkeeper saw a red card for his indiscretion with Paul Newton possibly setting a new world record for the time involved in a game after coming on as a substitute goalkeeper.

Leigh will hope for a lucrative second round draw but will have Woking to face before setting their sights back on the cup competitions. The Surrey side will visit Hilton Park on Saturday afternoon when the Railwaymen will welcome back Michael Twiss to the squad after the striker sustained a bruised left foot two weeks ago. However, RMI have released midfielder Craig Skinner and striker Troy Hayder.

RMI: Westhead, Scott, German, Swan, Farrell, Salt, Black (Hallows 83), Fitzpatrick (Heald 63), Maamria, Kielty, Fisher. Subs not used: Durkin, Spooner, Harris. Attendance: 300.