LEIGH RMI's only realistic hope of bringing silverware to Hilton Park this season was kept alive after they beat a weakened Altrincham side 2-1 in the President's Cup replay last night. Striker Neil Matthews scored both goals to double his tally in a barren five month spell, but the Railwaymen had to hang on in the last 20 minutes after Niell Hardy finished off one of the better moves of the game.

Matthews, who started the season scoring eight goals in the first 10 matches, was glad to be on the scoresheet, but very disappointed he didn't complete a hat-trick.

"I had a couple of good chances before I opened the scoring, but after I got my second, the opportunities for a third never came along," said Matthews. "I really want to go on and finish the season as I started it, but I do believe that I contribute to the team in other ways, and although the service to the strikers could have been better this season, I have confidence in my own ability to make something out of nothing."

The Railwaymen had two headers cleared off the line in the opening 90 seconds, by Mark Maddox from an inswinging Mick Wallace corner, and then Rick Ashcroft from Lee Cryer.

Matthews should have opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he was free in the box, but he shot straight at John Hawkes.

But the keeper had no chance on the half hour, when, after another Wallace corner was headed against the post by Simon Turpin, and Matthews buried the rebound. Just before the break Peter Smyth had a rasping drive blocked on the line by Mick Carmody, however Matthews made it two in the 65th minute.

Once again Wallace provided the quality service, with Dave Ridings getting the near post flick and Matthews heading home on the back post.

Ashcroft, Ged Kielty and Jason Donnelly provided the break that Wallace couldn't cut out and Hardy finished in style.

RMI had to survive a few anxious moments before going through to meet Runcorn in a two-legged semi final.

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