LEIGH RMI know better than most just what's at stake in tomorrow's FA Cup 4th qualifying round tie at Scarborough.

Just two years ago they created a national stir with a 1-1 draw with Kevin Keegan's Fulham at Craven Cottage before losing 2-0 in the replay in front of 8,000 at Hilton Park.

The cash and exposure their Cup exploits brought were to prove the springboard for last season's promotion to the Nationwide Conference. Now they fancy a bit of the same again.

"The Fulham experience was marvellous," recalls team boss Steve Waywell. "It would be nice if we could grab some of that attention again."

Tomorrow's winners will go into the draw with the Division Two and Three clubs in the first round proper.

But first RMI have a difficult hurdle to clear at the McCain Stadium.

Leigh's Conference rivals are full-time and have recruited heavily in the last year or so as they attempt to regain their Football League status.

Centre-back Paul Ellender was a £60,000 signing from Altrincham a year ago while up front player/manager Neil Thompson splashed out a club record £65,000 for ex-Sunderland striker Chris Tate to team up with another former Rokerite, Steve Brodie.

Tate is the Seadogs leading scorer and has been the subject of a £250,000 bid from Conference big guns Rushden and Diamonds.

As last line of defence they have a top keeper in Andy Woods who holds the Conference record of six games without conceding a goal.

But the recent records of the clubs shows Leigh may start as favourites. RMI are unbeaten in their last eight games while Scarborough have only picked up one point in their last four matches.

"I don't know about us being favourites," Waywell adds. "All I know is that it's going to be a tough game."

There will be changes in the RMI line-up with midfielders Dave Ridings and Ged Kielty available again after suspension and full-backs Chris Scott and Mick Devenney released back to Burnley after their loan spells.

Coming in is Robert Trees from Bristol Rovers.

Waywell has taken the 22-year-old on loan and says: "He's a very fit lad with tremendous pace who can play full-back, midfield or even up front. He started with Manchester United before moving to Bristol. I saw him play a couple times for Altrincham two years ago and I've kept tabs on him ever since."