Leigh boss Stuart Humphreys was handed a selection boost before the game with both centre back Stephen Hill and striker Dan Owen available for selection after they recovered from long-term injuries, while Owen was partnered in attack by Kevin Rapley after the ex-Chester forward completed the final game of a three match suspension in Tuesday’s 4-0 Setanta Shield defeat at Barrow.

Although the opening minutes saw Kieran Lugsden miscue when well-positioned, before an accurate Scott Willis free kick brought a comfortable save from Moors goalkeeper Matt Ghent, the first serious goalmouth incident occurred when the visitors took the lead two minutes before the interval when a left wing cross found Jason Moore in acres of space at the back post, with Leigh goalkeeper John Lamb succeeding in only helping the header in to the net.

After a first half that was largely lacking in incident, it came as somewhat of a shock that the game sprang to life within minutes of the restart when Kevin Rapley chipped a cute cross to the back post that was met by a barnstorming header from midfielder Andy Heald, who took great delight in levelling the scores.

Rapley had a chance of his own to score when his shot was blocked desperately on the line from a corner, with the ball eventually squirming it’s way to Willis on the edge of the area, only for the midfielder to screw his shot well wide of the target.

In an effort to try and claim a vital winning goal, the home side introduced attacking trio Gary Williams, Chris McDonagh and one-time England Under 18 international Richard Chetcuti from the substitutes bench, with all three making their first appearances at Hilton Park since rejoining the club from spells elsewhere, with Dan Owen, Scott Willis and Kevin Rapley coming off the field.

Solihull and Jason Moore came within millimetres of a second goal on 80 minutes when the striker’s header crashed against Lamb’s post from a pinpoint Philip Midworth cross, while RMI may feel a little aggrieved that they had a plausible penalty claim turned down late on when Lugsden was seemingly nudged over just inside the area by Tim Gould, only for the appeal to fall on deaf ears.

That said, a winning goal might have proved a little harsh on the visitors in a game where neither side can genuinely complain about the outcome.

With last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Harrogate Railway Athletic bringing a premature end to RMI’s FA Cup commitments for another season, Leigh now have a fortnight’s rest before making the short trip to the Wirral to face Vauxhall Motors on Saturday 20th October (3pm).

 

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