By Matt Lawton
November 19 2004

New Leigh boss Geoff Lutley begins his RMI managerial reign with the mammoth away trip down to Devon to face mid-table Exeter City. Lutley, who took over from Phil Starbuck as caretaker manager earlier this week after Starbuck and his assistant Gary Kelly had resigned in protest in their wage budget being slashed by two-thirds, leaving a figure for the entire squad that wouldn't pay the wages of a single player even at some of their Conference rivals.

Lutley's first problem as RMI boss leave him short in the goalkeeping department, with Paul Crichton leaving the club to join Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley in the wake of the squad's wage cut and Starbuck's consequent departure, meaning RMI may ironically turn to Australian goalkeeper Ian Martin, who was released by the club only a matter of weeks ago, although youngster Daniel Moreton may keep his place in the side after a quiet debut in Tuesday night's 5-1 mauling of Marine in the First Round of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy.

One boost for Lutley may come in the form of former Derby County midfielder Gareth Holmes, who may return to the side if he passes a late fitness test after several weeks out through injury.