By Martyn Hindley

LEIGH RMI recovered from the loss of two early goals to record a memorable pre-season victory over local rivals Wigan Athletic at Hilton Park on Saturday.

In a rags versus riches meeting Steve Waywell got the better of former Premiership manager Paul Jewell as Leigh romped to victory against the big spending Second Division side.

The two sides drew 1-1 in last year's summer meeting, and it was the Railwaymen who made the brighter start to this year's contest when Dino Maamria netted in the opening seconds only to be flagged offside.

The Latics battled back immediately to take the lead in the third minute when McLoughlin's accurate corner allowed former Manchester United reserve Pat McGibbon to open the scoring with a header that beat Mark Westhead.

RMI's trial goalkeeper keeper was beaten again midway throgh the first half when McLoughlin spotted Westhead off his line and elegantly chipped the second from just outside the box.

The afternoon was starting to look like an uphill struggle for the Railwaymen, but just as last season had shown their opponents, RMI should never be written off!

Immediately, they pulled a goal back through Dino Maamria's penalty kick and looked the better of the two sides before the half-time whistle saved Wigan from further punishment.

Potential

Left-sided midfielder Andy Heald showed great potential during his appearances for the club at Clitheroe and Rossendale but made a bigger mark on supporters with a long-range thunderbolt midway through the second half that gave Leigh their equaliser.

Young Wigan shotstopper Scott Tynan was helpless to prevent both strikes and was left with an equally difficult task late on when Hugh Dickson upended Michael Reynolds in the penalty area.

After a long break to attend to Reynolds' injury, ex-Wigan striker Tony Black crashed home the winning penalty to send the home fans wild.

The win adds credence to assistant manager Dave Miller's claims that the side would only get better once the Railwaymen managed to gain a settled squad after matches in which 17 or 18 different players have appeared in varying roles.

RMI hope to continue their good run when pre-season action continues at Bamber Bridge's Irongate ground tomorrow evening, kick-off 7:30pm. RMI shock Latics