Scarborough 1, Leigh RMI 1

LEIGH RMI have a resurgent Ian Monk to thank for maintaining their unbeaten record in the New Year, as it was his late volley that stunted Scarborough's recent good run.

It was a game in which they were easily outplayed for the first 70 minutes, with the midfield trio of Gareth Williams, Gareth Stoker and Denny Ingram streets ahead of Kietly and Ridings in the centre for the Railwaymen.

Shaun Rennison had the first chance after just seven minutes when his header from Neil Thompson's free-kick was straight at Dave Felgate. That was the start of a period in which the 'Seadogs' found many a free header in the opposition penalty area.

The main recipient of this apparant genorosity was man-of-the-match Paul Ellender, the £60,000 defender looping a header over a concerned Felgate, who reacted quickly to deflect over the crossbar, and it was his header that provided the assist for the opening goal. David Pounder's flag-kick was headed goalbound by the ex-Altrincham centre-half, and Rennison capitalised on Felgate's fumble to stab home.

It could have been much worse for RMI had Danny Brunton's close range effort not been denied by Monk's desperate defending on the line.

Despite the plentitude of the goalmouth action in either half, the game was not blessed with the high standard of football the two sets of supporters have come to expect of them, yet the game should have been squared before the interval. Steve Jones found himself in acres of space on the edge of the penalty area, but without realising the strength of the opportunity, lobbed a tame effort into the hands of Scarborough shotstopper Phil Priestley, while the same goalkeeper smothered Mick Morrell's charging run when the striker started to show his unquestionable pace down the left-hand side.

It seemed that the next goal would need a similar error or piece of brilliance, and with just two minutes remaining in the first half, Scarborough hot-shot Steve Brodie - already with 10 goals to his name this season - almost provided it. His impulsive 20-yard volley on the turn dipped venomously, yet cleared the bar, and the hosts started with identical confidence in the second half.

Ellender directed a point-blank header at Felgate, who produced a fine reflex save, but with the early exit of Brodie, who seemed to have picked up a knock, Scarborough's initiative was lost, and Leigh gradually worked themselves back into the game.

Jones was unlucky not to level the scores on 55 minutes when his close range effort was cleared off the line by Gareth Stoker amid frenzied appeals for handball, and the flame-haired winger should have played Morrell through when unmarked, as the ex-Altrincham star looked certain to score.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, it seemed that festive spirit had been extended beyond all boundaries of belief to create RMI's equaliser. Kielty's corner seemed harmless until Ellender and Priestley collided, and Monk athletically volleyed the ball home from the edge of the penalty area to secure a point. It was no more than Steve Waywell's men deserved, yet with four minutes remaining, both sides had chances to grab all three.

Felgate's calamitous clearance under minimal pressure found young substitute Stuart Morris whose effort from a tight angle was foiled by Dave German with Windross wailing uncontrollably for the ball that would certainly have demanded a winner. Amidst the late drama at the other end, Monk failed to convert Jones's centre and Ridings' drive was deflected over the bar.