A stunning second-half strike from Dino Maamria gave Leigh RMI a hard-fought victory at Northwich Victoria.

Northwich went close to taking the lead after just five minutes when a brilliant shot by Gregg Blundell from 20 yards was excellently saved by Stuart Coburn in the Leigh goal.

The visitors were certainly up against it early on and Wayne Maden was booked for a foul on Kevin Street.

The home side continued to dominate the first-half proceedings but were unable to force the breakthrough.

The second half began with a welcome flurry of attacks as both sides tried to force the advantage.

First, Ged Kielty fired a cross-shot just over the Northwich bar and then the home side went close when Andrew Taylor's shot was expertly dealt with by Stuart Coburn.

Leigh suffered a major blow on the hour when John Robertson left the field with what looked to be a serious injury. He was immediately replaced by Liam Blakeman.

But they were celebrating just seconds later when Dino Maamria blasted them into the lead from Stuart Whittaker's cross.

Maamria was substituted for Neil Tolson almost immediately in what was clearly a tactical move.

Northwich boss Jimmy Quinn came on with 17 minutes left and almost grabbed the equaliser late on, but saw his shot beaten away.

Northwich: Parry, Walsh, Ingram, Sedgemore, Cane, Taylor, Allan, Devlin, Norris, Street, Blundell. Subs: Quinn, Garvey, Connett, McNiven, Davis.

Leigh RMI: Coburn, Durkin, Monk, John Robertson, Fitzhenry, Kielty, Maden, Salt, Harrison, Maamria, Whittaker. Subs: Courtney, Tolson, Liam Blakeman, Williams, Fisher.

Referee: M Murphy