Leigh Genesis battled their way through to the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy with a victory over UniBond League Division One North side Harrogate Railway Athletic that was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.
With almost £3,000 in prize money up for grabs for the winners, Genesis went ahead on 19 minutes when Jordan Stepien headed in an Alex Mortimer corner.
With the visitors, who have just two points to their name all season, providing very little threat, Leigh almost extended their lead in the second half when defender Jonathan Goulding struck the side netting after Mark Smyth had smartly laid off a cross from substitute Matt Berkeley.
Leigh had a golden opportunity to double their lead in the second half when Stepien was brought down inside the area, only for Mark Smyth’s penalty kick to be saved by Sutcliffe, the third time already this season that Leigh have missed from the spot.
Winger Brad Maylett flashed a shot narrowly wide of the target, but Leigh were comfortable victors and Steve Bleasdale’s side will travel to Witton Albion next weekend with renewed confidence.
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