LEIGH RMI 1 BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA 1: DAVID Ridings must still be having nightmares about his failure to find the unguarded goal during the first half of Leigh's draw with Billingham in the FA Cup second qualifying round.

The elegant midfielder had started the move with a defence-splitting pass to Chris Shaw out on the right, and when the cross came in it was Ridings who was on the end of it but with the goal unguarded and team mates queuing up behind him, he inexplicably side-footed wide from three yards.

The glaring miss didn't help the below-par performance of RMI against a side that were difficult to break down and where chances were at a premium.

"We were not at our best", said manager Steve Waywell. "But at least we have a chance to put it right in the replay on Wednesday.

"Our passing game, which has been our trademark this season, was non-existent and the service to our strikers was poor. Even our work rate wasn't what it should have been," Waywell added.

The Railwaymen had to wait until the 51st minute to open the scoring. Graham Leishman, playing his full game of the season, combined well with Kevin Booth down the right and when the cross came in Shaw beat keeper Lee Payne from close range for his fourth goal of the season.

But Billingham, hit back 15 minutes from time.

Sean O'Brien's left-wing cross found Andy Fletcher unmarked and he beat Dave Felgate with a shot into the far corner.

Leigh are now unbeaten in nine games, but will have to improve in Wednesday's replay if they want to progress to the next round where the winners will be at home to Marine.

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