NELSON emerged from this Marsden LFA Trophy first round tie with their heads held high after matching their highly-rated opponents from the Premier Division of the UniBond League for most of the 90 minutes.

The Blues might even have taken the lead when Glen Little's 25-yard shot hit the far post with keeper Dave Felgate well beaten after 20 minutes. Simon Burrows at the other end, kept Nelson in the game with a string of magnificent saves, but was powerless to prevent Mick Wallace giving Leigh the lead after 29 minutes with a close range shot.

In the second half it looked like the end for Nelson when Tony Black was felled in the area, but Stuart Locke shot wide from the spot kick. It was the Blues who seized the initiative and looked the stronger as the half wore on, and it came as no surprise when player-manager John Bailey blasted in the equaliser after the Leigh defence failed to clear after 77 minutes.

Nelson pushed forward in search of the winner and Glen Little and Neil Chapman looked capable of beating the Leigh defence.

As play swung from end to end however, it was the visiting centre forward Brian Ross who had the last word when he scored from close range on 85 minutes to take his side through to the next round.

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