ATHERTON LR "deserved what we got" in damaging 4-1 defeat at Salford City. The words came from disappointed boss Steve Plant, who said: "It was a poor performance.

"Only Paul Meredith, Scott Dowds and Mike Read played anything like and we got what we deserved."

Former Leigh RMI striker Keith Evans was the executioner-in-chief with a stunning hat-trick as City drove another rusty nail into LR's survival hopes.

Two down as half-time approached, LR were given a lifeline when Jimmy Flood pulled a goal back. But it was thrown away in the second period when Salford were gifted two more sloppy goals.

Meanwhile, Bolton Evening News Girl of the Year Sheena Stuart is pictured getting carried away with it all when The Journal's sister newspaper launched its sponsorship partnership deal with Atherton LR from the First NorthWest Trains League Division One. LEIGH ATHLETIC finally got back on track with a 3-1 win against Walshaw Sports Club.

They blasted ahead with three first-half goals through a Bowman double and a Little corner - all three quality strikes.

Walshaw clawed a way back after the break, sneaking a goal back and putting the Athletic defence under pressure.

But, marshalled by Spowart, they held out with some style.

On Saturday (2.30pm) Leigh are at home to Lymm.

LEIGH BOROUGH scored a 4-1 win at P+SSSC with a Prescott hat-trick and a Lumb penalty.

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