LEIGH RMI were left fuming as a disputed penalty breathed new life into Gateshead.

They had been second best to the Hilton Park side but eventually scrambled a 2-2 draw.

The result hinged on a moment soon after the break when Steve Preen was bundled over by Graham Hill, who was given his 11th yellow card of the season.

"I have no idea how he arrived at a penalty decision," said an aggrieved Hill. "Both Dave (Felgate) and myself had words with the referee and I ended up in the book.

"Whether it for the foul or dissent I don't know. We will have to see his report."

Earlier, villain Hill had been the RMI hero when he flicked on a Tony Whealing long throw and the ball struck Richie Ward and left goalkeeper Adrian Swan all at sea for an own goal.

The RMI lead was restored by Dave Ridings who beat two defenders on the edge of the box before thumping the ball past the airborne Swan.

When the North East outfit scored the equaliser in the 70th minute it was inevitable that the industrious Preen would be the scorer.

Both sides had chances to win in the dying stage. Substitute Richie Alderson missed from close range and Steve Tobin's long range effort looked destined for the Gateshead net before Tony Hall headed away.

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