Northwich Vics 3 Leigh RMI 3 A SPARSELY populated Drill Field played host to a night of sheer frustration for both sides as Northwich Victoria and Leigh RMI failed to resolve their Nationwide Trophy game at the second attempt.

Last weeks' effort was halted by the adverse weather conditions, and both managers could be thankful that this game even got off the ground as it was marred by heavy showers which transformed the surface into a quagmire by the final whistle.

With the Railwaymen resting several key players for the crunch fixtures at Chester and Scarborough to come, it was a chance for the fringe players to shine. But they were rocked on their heels early on as the Conference cellar-dwellers stormed into an early two-goal lead.

Dave Fletcher volleyed the first home from 20 yards to the bemusement of a stranded Dave Felgate, and the second followed suit, with Fletcher pouncing to convert after Holcroft had watched his effort cannon from the woodwork.

However, the game was by no means one-sided, as Dave Ridings, with his 35-yard driven free-kick halved arrears 12 minutes before half-time.

Once that the half-fit Mick Morrell had been substituted in favour of Ged Kielty, the game was dominated by the visitors, and it was indeed the ex-Altrincham man who equalised on 69 minutes, crashing home a loose ball after good work on the right hand side by Ian Monk. With four minutes to go, that flank was occupied by Ridings, who supplied Kielty to scramble home what seemed to be a winner.

After endless waiting to catch up with teams who are already preparing to play their third round fixtures in the competition, a tie at Morecambe seemed inevitable, before Fletcher again proved to be a thorn in the side of Steve Waywell's men with a side-foot from eight yards to drag the game kicking and screaming into extra-time.

It was a turgid 30 minutes which created few clear cut opportunities, before Doncaster referee Gary Brittain called proceedings to a much-needed halt and signify a replay.

Leigh's unbeaten run stretches to seven games, and they will fear nobody when they return to league action at Chester on Saturday.

RMI: Felgate, Scott, Devenney, Udall, Farrell, Durkin, Monk, Ridings, Matthews, Morrell, Mason. Subs used: Critchley, Kielty. Not used: Dootson, Harris, Walker. Attendance: 309.