KEITH Evans scored his eighth goal of the season at Flixton last night and it was enough to give Leigh RMI the points and extend their unbeaten run to 12 games.

Evans' goal came mid-way through the second half after he had been fouled out on the right. Mick Wallace's pin-point free kick was glanced into the fair corner by Evans' deft header.

He should have doubled the lead 10 minutes from time when substitute Jamie Fahey's deep cross was headed into his path by Chris Shaw, but Evans failed to get the final touch in front of an open goal.

Shaw almost gave the Railwaymen a flying start in the opening minutes, but Sean McWilliam was on hand to clear off the line.

Leigh have now drawn level on points with Flixton, who were in third place, but it was the makeshift defence that brought praise from manager Steve Waywell.

"To keep a clean sheet without three of our regular back five is a great achievement. Steve Walmesley, Mick Charlton and Paul Wheeler have slotted in very well and it just shows the importance of having a strong squad," he said.

Tony Edwards returned to mid-field after his broken wrist and his presence allowed Dave Ridings and Chris Bermingham more freedom.

But it was the sharpness of Evans in the box that was the difference between the two sides.

"The goal was straight off the training ground because we spent a lot of time on set-pieces. The victory should now set us up for Marine in the Cup on Saturday," added Waywell.

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