McNiven's header came when he latched onto Ian Monk's cross and the goal came after Leigh had wasted many chances throughout the match.

Leigh could of took the lead after only 90-seconds, when loanee Neil Robinson had his well struck effort saved by Halifax goalkeeper Clint Davies. Robinson was on hand again minutes later when his effort was cleared off the line by Halifax defender Jamie Price. Price again denied Leigh the lead moments later when he saved off the line again from a Paul Shepherd corner.

Even McNiven was wasting the chances when Davies saved his effort. It wasn't looking like Leigh's after this, especially when Martyn Lancaster blasted over the bar from six yards.

As expected highly favoured Halifax came back into the game when both Lewis Kileen and Dave Cameron had good efforts only to see them saved by RMI goalkeeper Stuart Coburn.

Coburn could do little to prevent Town taking the lead though, when Lee Elam shifted a quick freekick to Craig Midgely who hit a 25-yard deflected shot, which beat Coburn.

Elam should of doubled Halifax's lead on two occasions, only to see one of his efforts saved by an impressive Coburn and one sail over the cross-bar. The Railwaymen made Halifax pay for there missed chances though, when McNiven grabbed the equaliser from Monk's cross that caught out the Halifax defence.

McNiven maybe should have won the game for Leigh late on, only to see his shot comfortably saved by Davies and another RMI chance wasted.

Leigh RMI: Coburn, Durkin, Redmond, Lancaster, Hill, Monk, Peyton, Kielty, Shepherd, McNiven, Robinson. Subs: Hallows, Heffernan, Martin, Courtney, Maden.

Halifax: Davies, Price, Quinn, Garnett, Sandwith, Mallon, Midgley, Hudson, Elam, Killeen, Cameron. Subs: Lee, Parke, Bushell, Farrell, McAuley.

Referee: S Bratt (Walsall).

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