Leigh RMI 0 Bury 3

By Mike Hulme RMI never recovered from gifting away an early goal as a strong Bury side ran out clear winners at Hilton Park on Saturday.

In the second of nine pre-season friendlies, Leigh were forced to chase the game after Paul Robertson's early howler presented Bury with a sixth minute goal. The full-back's mis-directed back pass let in Bury striker John Newby, the Shakers goal-poacher rounding keeper Mark Westhead before sliding the ball into an unguarded net.

Leigh rarely made any impression on a solid Bury defence in which Maltese international Luke Dimech was outstanding.

Summer recruit Steve Thompson was Leigh's best man, showing real quality with the range of his passing. But he was withdrawn at half time and only on his return in the final 20 minutes did Leigh threaten.

But by that time they were 2-0 down, Bury doubling their lead in the 62nd minute with a smartly taken goal created by one sub, Chris Billy, and finished sweetly by a second, Marc Whiteman.

Thompson produced a trademark 25-yard thunderbolt that brought a flying save from Paddy Kenny before Bury wrapped it up with a third goal a couple of minutes from time when Paul Reid's left wing cross was powerfully headed in at the near post by Billy.