Trafford 0 Leigh Genesis 2

A COMMANDING performance from Leigh Genesis saw Garry Flitcroft's sixth-placed side secure their second away victory in a week to maintain a five-point lead over seventh-placed Clitheroe in UniBond First Division North.

Fresh from scoring a hat-trick in the previous weekend's resounding 5-1 win at Chorley, Jordan Stepien was among the goals at Shawe View, scoring twice in the final 21 minutes to take his tally to 18 goals in a highly productive season.

In a first half that saw Genesis completely dominate in terms of possession and territory, Trafford were thankful for the performance of goalkeeper Tom Read in keeping the scores level at half time.

Read made a terrific save to palm a Richard Radcliffe snapshot over the crossbar.

The Trafford goalkeeper came to the rescue of his half-asleep defence with centre back Chris Lawton needlessly giving the ball away to Tom Ince to race through on goal, though ex-Leigh man Nia Bayunu did well to force Ince away from goal, though not enough to prevent the winger getting his shot away that was saved by Read's legs.

Lawton was again at fault for Leigh's next chance, misplacing a header that gave Stepien a golden chance with the goalkeeper caught in no man's land, only for the Leigh striker to place his shot wide.

Half time saw linesman O'Rourke withdraw with a knee injury and, after a desperate half-time tannoy appeal, was bizarrely replaced by Genesis kitman Jonathan Gains.

Any offside decisions on Gains' side of the field were to be made by the referee.

Leigh were a coat of paint from taking the lead when Whitham's deflected strike from the edge of the area cracked against the crossbar.

Trafford, 8-1 winners at Rossendale United the previous week, had to wait until 55 minutes before they had their first meaningful attempt on goal when Drench was called upon to tip Scott Metcalfe's strike wide of the target.

Stepien gave a warning shot to the hosts on 65 minutes when he turned smartly in the penalty area and forced an excellent low save from Read but it was a warning that Trafford failed to heed.

Ince guided a free kick to the back post and Stepien made no mistake in slotting home.

Trafford had a huge chance to equalise on 89 minutes when skipper Melford Knight was left unmarked from a Metcalfe free kick, only to head over Drench's crossbar..

With barely seconds left on the clock, Leigh's victory was sealed when a huge clearance sent Stepien racing through on goal, only to be brought down in the area by Lawton.

Stepien dusted himself off and sent Read the wrong way from the resultant penalty.

Leigh Genesis: Stephen Drench, Lee Woodyatt, Kris King, Mark Ross, Chris Page, Dale Whitham, Jack Dorney (Chris Dykes), Steve Flitcroft, Richard Ratcliffe (Andy Heald), Jordan Stepien, Tom Ince.

* Genesis welcome mid-table Woodley Sports to Leigh Sports Village Stadium on Saturday, kick off 3pm.