LEIGH RMI are back with a bang.

After a week of stumbling the title dream is again becoming clearer.

They opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Unibond Premiership with a 4-1 victory over Bishop Auckland at Hilton Park on Tuesday.

And on the same night closest rivals Gateshead were held to a 2-2 draw at Droylsden while Hyde won 1-0 at Guiseley.

RMI now have 74 points from 38 games, Gateshead 69 from 38 and Hyde 67 from 38.

With six games remaining only two are at home.

But four aways hold no worries for manager Steve Waywell, whose side have won nine and drawn five on their travels.

"Our away record is good," he said. "I think we play better away from Hilton Park because when sides come to us they see the superb facilities and they lift their game accordingly.

"But it was important we got the victory tonight after losing two in succession. Plus, with not playing on Saturday, we needed a cushion." RMI also improved their goal difference as Bishop were caught cold with two early strikes.

The kick-off was delayed 15 minutes with the North East side caught in traffic.

And they could still have been on the bus when Dave German's run and brilliant cross from the left picked out Tony Black whose bullet header left Steven Jones in the Bishop goal helpless.

RMI added a second three minutes later when a Mark Ward free kick was headed home on the back post by Dave Ridings, aided and abetted by Jones.

Brian Ross stabbed home the third on the half-hour after Brian Butler's cross from the right fell perfectly for him.

But five minutes before the break Leigh's static defence was left appealing for offside after Glen Donney had threaded a pass through to Danny Brunskill, who beat Dave Felgate from close in.

When Mark Salmon tripped Jones in the box, six minutes after the break, Ward's penalty rattled the post before hitting keeper Jones on the back and rebounding into the net.

"The night's results give us the confidence to go to Runcorn on Tuesday," said Waywell. "Hopefully we will benefit from a weekend off."