Marine 3 Leigh RMI 2 by Martyn Hindley

INJURY-hit Leigh RMI failed to gain confidence ahead of the new season as they lost their penultimate warm-up at Merseyside club Marine.

Leigh made the brighter start of the two sides and snatched the lead after a good exhibition of one touch football in the 10th minute. Dino Maamria produced an accurate centre which was met by Marcus Hallows at the far post and Neil Fisher finished the move with a looping header over Chris Clarke.

The Railwaymen also went close from long range shortly before half-time when Dave German's thundering drive narrowly missed the goal but the hosts came back through a John Morgan effort which Felgate was equal to.

Felgate was replaced by young hope Mark O'Connor at the break, but the young talent was shellshocked as the Unibond side gained momentum with a treble-salvo at the start of the second period. Seven minutes into the second half, Marine stalwart Rick Bainbridge slammed home a loose ball from inside the penalty area and followed that up with a glorious curling free-kick from twenty-five yards. RMI's hopes of a recovery were all but shattered with Neil Black's third for the hosts.

Ian Monk was to pull a goal back for Leigh late on but the Railwaymen could not find a leveller and crashed to their third defeat of the pre-season.

Young forward Troy Hayder made a useful appearance as a late substitute for Steve Waywell's men replacing Marcus Hallows, whose performances for the club seem to improve with every appearance. Andy Heald continued his impressive form down the left-hand side and Chris Scott helped maintain a good balance at the heart of the defence. Ex-Bolton star Steve Thompson shook off a knee strain to play a key role in the game.