LEIGH RMI have set up a mouth-watering League Challenge Cup tie at derby rivals Radcliffe Boro.

But they were made to sweat in their first round encounter against First Division strugglers Workington.

In the end they won 3-1 in Saturday's replay at Hilton Park.

And they had to regather after an early shock, the Cumbrians shooting ahead after just 90 seconds and twice nearly adding to that lead in the first half-hour.

It was an uncomfortable and embarrassing period for Premiership side Leigh who were experimenting with a new formation.

Sanity was restored only 10 minutes before the break when manager Steve Waywell made a double substitution and reverted to a system that gave the side a more balanced look. Only then did they take control.

"We struggled to put two passes together in the opening stages and were fortunate to be just one goal down," said Waywell.

"We then dominated the second half and ran out worthy winners. But I still think the formation I started with still has its merits - if you have the right personnel."

Workington caught Leigh cold when Simon Parry rifled home Karl Finningham's cross. Graham Caton shaved the bar before Parry was denied by Dave Felgate, by far the busier keeper in the first half.

Leigh levelled five minutes before the interval when Keith Evans cut in and curled a shot into the top corner.

Chris Shaw rattled the post and had a goal disallowed for offside before putting RMI in front on the hour with a move straight off the training pitch. Mick Wallace floated a corner to the near post where Mark Schofield flicked on and Shaw finished off on the far post.

Wallace then hit a 73rd minute left-foot drive into the bottom corner.

"I always felt it was a game we would win in the end," added Waywell.

"But Workington, to their credit, pushed us to the limit."

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