Leigh RMI 2 Kingstonian 1 IT was the end of a hectic fortnight but Leigh still had a spring in their step as they grabbed a second win in three days.

Eleven games in a month must have taken a heavy toll on the minds and bodies of such a small squad but RMI showed few signs of weariness as they romped through the Hilton Park mud on Saturday.

They were two up at the break and should have had more before they put themselves under pressure by giving away a needless penalty and having a man sent off.

Thankfully they weathered the late storm to move up into fifth in the table and now require just one point from their final game at Morecambe tomorrow to be assured a top six spot and automatic entry into next season's LDV Vans Trophy.

Troy Hayder, making his first start in a Leigh shirt, had a dream debut with an impressive performance which he topped with a goal. The youngster used his speed and strength to good effect and was unlucky not to have added at least another goal.

When the chance came his way in the 11th minute, he took it with open arms. Andy Farrell's free-kick skimmed off the head of Eddie Saunders into Hayder's path but he did not hestitate and lashed the ball home.

Steve Jones should have done better than fire over shortly after but celebrated his 100th appearance for the Railwaymen with a goal in the 26th minute.

It came from a terrible pass along the edge of the box by England skipper Gary Patterson. Saunders could not control the ball and Jones nipped in and coolly slotted the ball home.

Leigh handed the visitors, who are already relegated, a lifeline in the 60th minute when Farrell brought down Sammy Winston in the area and Colin Luckett blasted home the penalty.

RMI were under the cosh for the last 10 minutes after Rick Harris was shown the red card for a nasty tackle on Patterson but managed to hang on.