LEIGH RMI 2 ALFRETON TOWN 0

IT took a heated half-time discussion in the Leigh dressing room before manager Steve Waywell changed his defensive system and then saw his side run out comfortable winners in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.

Forced into making a change just before the break when Matty Weston left the field with a hamstring strain, Waywell was faced with the dilemma of sticking with his three central defenders or moving to a flat back four.

After the frank exchange of views, he opted for the latter, with Kevin Booth switching to right back and Chris Bermingham on as an extra attacker - and the Railwaymen never looked back.

They dominated their Premier League opponents so much so that the two Chris Shaw goals were not a true reflection of a one-sided second half, that followed an evenly balanced, scoreless first.

"We were negative and laboured in the first half and although the players wanted to stick with our normal pattern, I decided to change it and attack them and on this occasion it paid off," said Waywell. "Their big defenders were found wanting in the second half when we played the ball into feet and if there is a disappointment it is that we didn't take more of the chances that were created."

Shaw's opener came in the 57th minute when his glancing header from Keith Evans' left wing cross just sneaked inside the far post.

His second, a minute from time, finished off the best move of the match. Evans and Bermingham passed their way through the Alfreton defence before Shaw was left with the space to beat Matt Unwin with ease. RMI, who are now unbeaten in six matches, face Billingham in the next round while tomorrow's League match at Gretna has been postponed due to an FA Cup replay.

RMI are to hold their AGM tonight, 7.30, at Hilton Park.

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