AFTER an utterly miserable festive season, good news has finally arrived at struggling Leigh RMI.

The Hilton Park club have appointed former Bolton Wanderers' favourite Mark Patterson as their new manager just seven days after Steve Waywell's resignation.

Patterson has impressed during his two games in charge despite slender defeats against both Conference high-flyers Doncaster Rovers and Halifax Town, and club chiefs now believe that he is the man to lead their fight against relegation.

The former midfielder has already started to remould the playing staff with Neil Fisher becoming the second player to join up with Waywell at Hyde United and Paddy Wilson's short-term contract looking short-lived.

RMI take on Flixton in the Lancashire Cup on Tuesday but with more than a week to go until the prestigious FA Trophy gets underway against cup kings Vauxhall Motors, Patterson has time on his side as he attempts to build up a squad capable of survival.

Patterson had to stave off the challenge of many applicants to land the role, although the upbeat mood surrounding Hilton Park at the moment leaves

little doubt that the appointment is a positive step for the Railwaymen.