Leigh RMI 1 Hayes 1 by Martyn Hindley

RMI fans were treated to an excellent exhibition of attacking football from new signing Dino Maamria, but were denied all three points against Hayes by Alvin Watts' late equaliser.

Watts struck a tremendous free-kick from 30 yards after Andy Farrell had fouled Ian Hodge to give Hayes a draw that they richly deserved in the Conference opener - three minutes into stoppage time.

Leigh welcomed back Neil Durkin to the heart of the defence after a knee operation ruled him out of the pre-season games and, along with Iain Swan and Andy Farrell, the defence was meticulous in the early stages.

Indeed, all eyes were fixed on the other end, as Dave Ridings struck the crossbar with a stunning long range effort and Maamria coolly slotted home after an incisive ball from Tony Black had created the opportunity for him to open his league account in an RMI shirt.

Maamria became an instant hit with the RMI faithful, and soon created another chance, his clever mazy run setting up Ian Monk, although his shot was charged down by Watts.

The Hayes penalty area was mayhem and the Middlesex side were reduced to just two attacks in the first half. Mark Molesley's shot produced a fine left-handed save from the ever-agile Dave Felgate while Michael Currie failed to test the goalkeeper with his effort from distance.

Maamria's trickery almost saw the lead doubled less than a minute into the second half but Black failed to convert and Leigh's frustration was compounded just four minutes later when Monk's shot was cleared off the line by John Ashton with goalkeeper Bossu beaten.

With the substitutions of Spooner and Durkin early in the second half, Leigh lost their shape and the visitors grabbed their lifeline back into the game with both hands. Molesley caused a number of problems from the midfield, forcing Monk into a headed clearance off the goal-line with 14 minutes remaining, and Dean Clark's cross-shot struck the woodwork as the game came to a close.

Terry Brown's side shocked the host with Watts' free-kick, and the Hayes manager was delighted after the game: "Leigh should have buried us in the first half, and at the beginning of the second. We were in trouble at the back early on and could have been two or three down by the break. However, credit to my lads who deserved a point, and to come to Leigh and get a result is a great feeling."

RMI: Felgate, Spooner (Scott 54), German, Durkin (Reynolds 66), Farrell, Swan, Monk, Ridings, Maamria, Black (Hallows 87), Fisher. Subs not used: Westhead, Heald. Att: 546.