Leigh RMI 2 Kendal Town 0: A GOAL in each half allowed favourites Leigh RMI to avoid an upset and lift the Lancashire Marsden Trophy against Kendal Town.

On a hard and bumpy pitch, RMI had a good series of early chances to seize control of the game, and were unlucky not to take a fifth minute lead. The recalled Neil Campbell got a fortuitous bounce after a tackle on Richard Close, and hit a sweetly timed drive that got a deflection before hitting the underside of the crossbar.

Ged Courtney misjudged the rebound and slammed his effort over the top.

After a succession of corners though, the Conference club took a deserved lead. Andy Heald's cross was precise and Ian Monk pulled away from his marker to power a head past Lee Ward.

The Cumbrians worked hard, but Mark Patterson's men had the same ethic and controlled the game thus giving their goalkeeper Stuart Coburn precious little to do.

The workmanlike Campbell deserved a goal for his efforts, and thought he had it four minutes before half time only to see his simple finish ruled out by a linesmen's flag.

The underdogs were killed off shortly before the hour mark when Heald's ball to Courtney in the six yard box allowed the striker to spin and crash the ball into the bottom corner.

Ward had to be on top form to deny substitute Ged Keilty and Ian Monk late on, but after keeping four clean sheets in five rounds, it was was RMI who landed the silverware.