JUST one wicket could have helped ease Leigh's relegation fears as they drew with fellow-strugglers Southport and Birkdale on Saturday.

Southport won the toss and elected to field but Matt McKiernan's side started brightly with opener Ross Zelem hit 31 but a flurry of wickets fell as they slumped to 80-4.

Matthew Hibbert (27) and Thomas Foster (38) took Leigh past the 100-mark but when Foster was out in 140, Leigh's challenge went too and they were all out for 142.

It was disappointing total for Leigh as only Richard Dempster (16) and McKiernan (12) reaching double figures.

Chris Brownlow from Bolton enjoyed the most success with the ball taking 7-19.

In reply, Southport found themselves 24-2 after Dempster struck early before Josh Bohannon (22) and Harry May (33) took the scoreboard rolling to 78 when May was caught by Dan Hatton off Ryan Housley.

Housley took two more victims in quick succession by sending Bohannon and Wim Van der Walt (duck) back to the pavilion.

Brownlow steadied the ship with 26 then James McCombie was run out for 24.

But as the wickets continued to fall, Southport finished on 131-9.

Richard Dempster was the leading wicket-taker with 4-43 while Housley took 3-23.

Leigh travel to third-placed Formby on Saturday followed by a home tie against second-bottom Wallasey.