LEIGH RMI showed both sides of their make-up before snatching a last-minute winner against Marine.

For 70 minutes they huffed and puffed without forcing Marine keeper Steve Hilton to pick up more than the odd harmless back pass.

But a double substitution sparked a remarkable transformation and lit the fuse for a rip-roaring finale and 1-0 home win.

Manager Steve Waywell unleashed John Keary and Matt Weston, and, with his first touch, Keary struck panic in the heart of the Marine defence.

Twice his tricky runs brought free kicks in threatening positions on the edge of the area and on a third occasion his right-wing cross was headed just over by Peter Smyth.

Keary repeated the dose for Stuart Locke to just miss connecting with an inviting cross; then Weston should have done better rather than shooting tamely at Hilton with only the keeper to beat.

Almost inevitably a winner had to come - but Leigh left it mighty late.

The game was already beyond the 90-minute mark when skipper Mark Schofield rose to meet a Dave Ridings free kick and plant a header into the roof of the net.

Leigh's tentative performance in the first 70 minutes showed just why they have the worst home goalscoring record in the division.

But they looked rock solid at the back, confirming their standing as the team with the best defensive record - three for and three against in five games.

All the evidence was there in the final fling that a more positive approach is needed.

While Leigh may have offered little in attack, the defence was superbly marshalled by Graham Hill and the impressive Simon Kay.

Goalkeeper Dave Felgate didn't have a shot to save all afternoon.

But he was grateful to see Paul Carden's first half-header fly wide. And he was mightily relieved to see Tony Rodwell's goal-bound shot blocked and turned over the top by Kay.

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