Struggling Leigh RMI earned a vital point against Southport - who will wonder how they only came away with a draw after dominating the match.

The hosts had the first chance of the game, Ged Courtney seeing his volley parried by Southport keeper Steve Dickinson.

Dean Howell then replied for Southport but his 18-yard drive flew wide of the left-hand post.

However, the visitors did hit the back of the net when Peter Thomson laid on a pass to Howell who drilled home with 24 minutes gone.

And the Sandgrounders could have extended their lead had Robert Pell not volleyed wide from close range after 32 minutes.

Leigh keeper Stuart Coburn was then called upon to make a smart save from Howell after 40 minutes and pulled off an equally good stop to deny Steve Jones three minutes later.

Dino Maamria tried to pull the visitors level with a speculative 20-yard effort, but Ian Monk made no mistake from the same distance after 59 minutes to level the scores.

Steve Pickford nearly put Southport back in front with a long-range drive but his shot came back off the crossbar and Leigh held on for a draw.

Leigh RMI: Coburn, Harrison, Lancaster, Durkin, Fitzhenry, Monk, Salt, Maden, Ford, Courtney, Maamria. Subs: Williams, Whitehead, Kielty, John Robertson, Bates.

Southport: Dickinson, Clark, Barry Jones, Moore, Scott, Nolan, Pickford, Steve Jones, Howell, Pell, Thomson. Subs: McGuire, Wheatcroft, Winstanley, Welsby, Askew.

Referee: S Brand (Wirral).