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Town facing a real scrap

17/11/2004

Royton Town 1
Leigh Athletic 3

TOWN now find themselves deep in a relegation battle after losing 3-1 to Leigh Athletic in the Air Miles Manchester League premier division.

Royton are now seven points behind the pack and have played more games, while Saturday's situation wasn't helped by falling behind to a sixth minute goal.

Town replied almost immediately with a Steve Hart strike when lobbing the keeper after beating the Leigh defence.

Leigh took the lead for the second time on 28 minutes when a move down the flanks culminated with a cross to the near post enabling an easy-taken goal.

In a match spoiled by strange refereeing decisions against both teams, Town succumbed to a third goal on 79 minutes when the referee saw fit to give a penalty after the ball struck a player's arm at a free-kick wall.

Phil Haigh in the Town goal saved the penalty, but was unable to prevent the rebound being put away.

Town now face an awkward time in the next two matches against league leaders Irlam MS and third-placed Old Altrinchamians in their quest to move away from the relegation zone.

Town's second team visited high-flyers Springhead A at Greenhill playing fields and came away on the wrong end of a 5-1 result.