With the recent wet weather being coupled with plummeting temperatures on the first real winter night of the season, both sides struggled to create many goalscoring opportunities, with Leigh in particular enjoying plenty of possession in the final third of the field without creating any particularly clear-cut chances.

The best chance of the half fell to recent signing Chris Amadi, but he managed to only strike Sean Lake's side netting when, in hindsight, it may have been better to strike the ball across goal when latching on to a smart Brad Maylett through ball. 

Half-time saw winger Jerome Watt make his return from injury as a replacement for the ineffective Amadi, with Mark Smyth partnering Stepien up front, although Smyth would later revert to his original left wing position with the introduction of Chris McCaughtrie from the bench.

It was only with the appearance of McCaughtrie that Leigh started to spark in attack, with Tom Field sending the substitute clear towards goal before he was seemingly bundled over by Marine goalkeeper Sean Lake, though the penalty appeals of supporters and players alike fell on deaf ears.

McCaughtrie was again involved in Leigh's next chance, playing a neat ball behind the defence that Smyth could only fire in to the side netting.

As if he wasn't already at the centre of the action, McCaughtrie was brought down on the edge of the area by Marine defender Phil Brazier, with the latter perhaps fortunate to remain on the field when considering McCaughtrie's run towards goal, though the free kick that followed was ultimately wasted with what appeared to be the umpteenth overhit cross of the evening.

Although Marine have been in particularly good form recently, a goal less 'home' draw might be considered a disappointing result for many, and it is hoped that Saturday's return to Victory Park will yield more goalmouth action when Genesis take on league rivals Cammell Laird in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy (3pm kick off).

Leigh Genesis; Steve Dickinson, Josh Wilson, Alex Mortimer, Tom Field, Andrew Teague, Rob Marsh-Evans, Brad Maylett (Chris McCaughtrie), Chris Holland, Jordan Stepien, Chris Amadi (Jerome Watt), Mark Smyth

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