McNiven's treble brought his tally up to 20 for the season, 18 in the Nationwide Conference, and confirmed his status amongst the top strikers in the league. The victory ended a dreadful run of five straight defeats for RMI but it wasn't all plain sailing for the battling Leythers.

Morecambe started the better of the two teams and Leigh keeper Ian Martin played a huge part in keeping Morecambe from taking the lead. Martin made a fine save in the 17th minute when Kieran Walmsley crossed and found Ryan Sugden who headed straight at the keeper.

Sugden was the danger man once again moments later when he cut in from the left to curl a right foot shot just over the bar. Sugden thought he had scored again when in the 24th minute he rounded Martin and slotted the ball towards goal only to see Martyn Lancaster clear off the line.

Moments earlier Leigh had their first decent chance of the game when Paul Shepherd dispossessed Stewart Drummond in midfield and released Andy Roscoe down the left flank. He picked out debutant Chris Lane who was unable to direct his header on target. Kris McHale had a decent chance moments later but his tame shot was easy pickings for Morecambe keeper Craig Mawson.

Morecambe's best chance of the game came with half time fastly approaching; Sugden again was the man on target. He was picked out by a square ball by Nick Rogan and side footed the ball against the post, summing up his luck in the first half.

As Morecambe where piling on more and more pressure, Leigh where questioning if they would make it to half time without conceding. Martin was on hand once again with a point blank save from Jim Bentley's header, this proved to be a vital save.

Almost immediately Leigh raced up the field, Lane having his original effort saved by Mawson and McNiven was on hand to tap in the rebound. RMI went in at half time the happier of the teams with a 1-0 lead.

The second half started as good as the first ended, as the combination of Lane and McNiven proved to be too good for the Morecambe defence once again. Lane this time crossed the ball from the right hand side and McNiven made no mistake in tapping home from close range.

Martin continued his good form throughout the second half saving well from Rogan amongst others. But it was Leigh who scored again and sealed a long awaited victory at Hilton Park. It was McNiven again sealing his hat trick from the penalty spot after he was up-ended in the area by David Perkins.

Eventually Morecambe scored a well deserved goal but it was nothing more than a consolation in the fourth minute of injury time. Sugden finally got on the score-sheet when his shot beat Martin with the help of a deflection.

Leigh RMI: Martin, Shepherd, Lancaster, Durkin, Roscoe, Lane, Redmond, Harrison, Rezai, McHale, McNiven. Subs: Whitehead, Barrowclough, Daniel, Peyton, Coyne.

Morecambe: Mawson, McKearney, Bentley, Garnett, Murphy, Perkins, Drummond, Stringfellow, Walmsley, Rogan, Sugden. Subs: Howell, Swan, McFlynn, Giles, Dodgson.

Referee: M Haywood (Wakefield).

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