Leigh RMI 1, Frickley Ath 1 IN a topsy-turvy game Leigh could have had all three points but in the end were thankful for one.

They controlled if not dominated the first half and looked well set for victory when Lee Cryer put them ahead in the 37th minute.

But it all went badly wrong just before the break when full-back Lee Anderson was shown the red card for his second bookable offence.

It was the second time he has been sent off within a month leaving manager Steve Waywell anxious about his team's disciplinary record.

"It is silly getting booked for over-reacting. The players should be more aware of the consequences of their actions," he admitted. "We have had three dismissals and 75 per cent of the bookings could have been avoided. We are cutting our own throats. It is great to have eagerness from the players but they have to channel it in the right direction."

With a blustery wind in their favour Leigh's defence was rarely threatened, but with a makeshift midfield they created little themselves until Wallace's free-kick was nodded down by Graham Hill and Cryer cracked it home from short range for his second strike of the season.

With the loss of Anderson Leigh had to move the influential Wallace to his customary full-back berth and the visitors, with the advantage of the wind, applied the pressure.

Keeper Dave Felgate produced a string of excellent saves but could do little to prevent the 73rd minute equaliser when Gary Hatto's telling cross was headed back across the area by Miles Thorpe for Simon Fuller to nod it home.

"With a man down and the wind against us I didn't fancy our chances at the break," confessed Waywell, "so I am delighted we managed a draw. Wallace ran the show in the first half but it affected us when I had to reorganise. We battled tremendously hard but the sending off was our downfall."

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