By Martyn Hindley LEIGH RMI could achieve the unthinkable at the weekend - and consolidate a place in the middle of the Conference table with victory over North London side Barnet.

Leigh may have followed up their fifth place last season with a relatively disappointing campaign this term but despite lying in 16th spot, they are only an amazing nine points away from the fifth place currently occupied by Southport.

However, the cautious line continually toed by manager Steve Waywell is vindicated by the fact that they are only three points above the drop zone.

And so, Saturday's clash with Barnet adds up to nothing short of a six-pointer. Barnet, after starting the season in exemplary form, have recently slipped to 11th place following defeats to Scarborough and Stalybridge and defeat at Hilton Park will see them fall into the wrong half of the table for the first time since dropping out of the Football League last summer.

The Bees were far from impressive when Leigh visited Underhill back in October, and having taken the lead through a superb individual effort from Neil Fisher the same player struck the bar before the hosts got themselves out of the woods with a late penalty that was hammered home by Arber after Mark Westhead had made an excellent first save.

The Railwaymen will be hoping to prove that showing was not just a one-off and simultaneously extend their winning runto four games.

Significantly, it has also been four hours of football at the highest level in the non-league game, since Waywell's men last conceded a goal - against Telford United back in January. It is the start of yet another critical week for Leigh in their quest for Conference survival. They travel to Stalybridge for another relegation six-pointer on Tuesday evening. Kick-off for Saturday's game at Hilton Park is 3pm.