Clitheroe 1 Leigh RMI 3

LEIGH RMI recovered from a midweek trouncing to record their first victory of the close season over Clitheroe.

But it was not comfortable. Missing several players expected to be in the starting line-up when the Nationwide Conference season begins next month, the Railwaymen struggled.

RMI looked to be lacking in confidence and it was almost against the run of play that they took the lead. Steve Thompson took a quick free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Marcus Hallows notched home his first goal for the club on 17 minutes.

The Hilton Park outfit increased their lead eight minutes into the second half through Thompson, only to be pegged back ten minutes later when ex-Leigh man Lee Cryer stole in at the near post to convert a teasing low centre. But Leigh sealed victory when Marcus Hallows netted a third from the penalty spot ten minutes from time.

Leigh assistant manager Dave Miller - deputising for Steve Waywell who is on holiday - was happy with the score.

He said: "I think that once we get a settled squad we will look a lot better. At the moment we have been struggling with absences.

"We hope to sign Michael Reynolds, a left-winger, sooner rather than later to bolster the front line of attack, and I think that he will be very good for the club."