Although the season is heading rapidly down it's final straight, RMI have produced a revival of sorts in recent fixtures and will now be looking to at least haul themselves from the bottom of the table before the season's end, and to produce a terrific performance, one that might have merited all three points on another day, away to a side previously tipped for automatic promotion suggests that notions of a ‘Great Escape' for the Railwaymen might not sound quite as far fetched as they might have done only a matter of weeks ago.

In truth, it was the hosts that came closest to grabbing victory, but Danny Holland's effort that smashed against the underside of Tim Dittmer's crossbar proved to be the only time that RMI's defence was seriously breached.

On an afternoon of several outstanding performers, it would be a little unfair to highlight any player as a man-of-the-match, but Rob Marsh-Evans was imperious in the heart of the RMI defence, whilst centre back partner Paul Booth certainly looked more comfortable in the centre of defence rather than at right back, where debutant Scott Metcalfe had impressive first outing.

Also making his debut was young striker James Dunn, a recent signing from Burscough, and he was unlucky to be forced to leave the field through injury during the second half after being on the receiving end of a particularly heavy challenge in the Harrogate penalty area, his performance prior to that certainly being a lively one alongside Richard Chetcuti in a sharp, youthful Leigh forward line.

Indeed, it was Dunn and Chetcuti that caused all kinds of problems for their hosts during the first half, Chetcuti having a credible penalty appeal turned down inside the first four minutes when a Harrogate hand had appeared to control the ball in the area, before linking up nicely with Neil Carroll to latch on to the midfielder's neat flick, only to fire a low shot straight at Town goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.

Winger Bradley Maylett, winning goalscorer against Alfreton, was enjoying a degree of success when attacking down the right flank, while left back Owen Roberts twice went close to scoring from outside the area, his first attempt dipping narrowly over the crossbar before his second, a free kick, was deflected wide of the near post by a desperate defensive header, the game half an hour old before the hosts had their attempt on goal, a shot from distance that flew wildly over Dittmer's crossbar.

Dunn might have capped an excellent debut early in the second half with a goal on the counter attack, breaking clear of some tight marking only for his attempt to chip McLaughlin to fail to gain the height required to loop over the goalkeeper.

Harrogate striker Danny Holland, highly-rated by many, was lucky to remain on the field after retaliating to an admittedly rash Marsh-Evans lunge on the edge of the Leigh penalty area, Holland becoming involved in the ensuing melee and seemingly striking Marsh-Evans, only for the striker to receive the same yellow card punishment as the offending Leigh centre back.

Marsh-Evans then found himself heavily involved at the other end of the field, beating several would-be tacklers on a determined run that ended with a shot from the edge of the penalty area that flew inches past the post.

Maylett, Dunn and Neil Carroll all eventually succumbed to niggling injuries that may mean they will struggle to be fit for Monday's home encounter with Burscough but, boosted by substitutes Steve Settle, Gavin Salmon and Scott Willis, RMI continued to hold firm against their hosts and were certainly good value for their point as RMI passed the three hour mark without conceding a goal.

The hectic Easter programme continues on Easter Monday when Lancastrian rivals Burscough are the visitors to Hilton Park (3pm kick off) before another vital away trip, this time to fellow strugglers Hucknall Town next Saturday (29th March, 3pm).

Leigh RMI; Tim Dittmer, Scott Metcalfe, Owen Roberts, Jonathan Goulding, Rob Marsh-Evans, Paul Booth, Bradley Maylett (Steve Settle), Neil Carroll (Scott Willis), James Dunn (Gavin Salmon), Richard Chetcuti, Andy Heald

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