LEIGH Genesis will be hoping to build on an improved performance against Clitheroe when they host Woodley Sports at Crilly Park on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Although Genesis lost 2-1 at home to second-placed Clitheroe at the weekend, Genesis were unlucky not to gain at least a point from the encounter.

Having gone into the game on the back of a midweek loss to basement rivals Cammell Laird, Genesis boss Mark Maddox rang the changes.

Striker Mick Vernon was handed a full debut, while Jack Burke made his full home debut and youth team graduate Steve Ferrigan retained his place in the side.

Clitheroe fielded ex-Leigh front man Mark Jackson and former Lowton High School pupil Danny Williams on the left flank.

Going into the game on the back of an unbeaten away run that stretches to early September, Clitheroe predictably dominated the early exchanges but found themselves a goal behind after 31 minutes with a goal of real quality from Leigh.

Ferrigan chipped the ball into the area and it was met by the stretching John Lawless, who made no mistake in catching the ball on the volley and lobbing goalkeeper Danny McDonald for his eighth goal of the season.

However, only five minutes passed for Leigh’s celebrations to be quickly dampened.

The visitors drew level in disappointing circumstances when Tom Williams was left unmarked at the back post to head home a corner past Genesis goalkeeper Adam Judge.

Leigh came within a whisker of taking the lead for a second time on 39 minutes when winger Paul Hopkins rattled a strike against the crossbar from inside the area.

And they were left to rue that bad luck two minutes before the break when Joe Roberts slotted the ball into the corner of the net after the original Clitheroe attempt had been cleared off the line.

Genesis struck the woodwork for a second time in the second half through Tony Rendell but they were unable to find an equaliser.

Leigh Genesis: Adam Judge, Danny Lyons, Gary Scott, Tony Rendell, Adam Farley (Scott Sephton 46), Steve Ferrigan, Paul Hopkins (Rick Gleave 84), Rowan Garnett, John Lawless, Mick Vernon, Jack Burke (Brodie Kearns 46). Subs not used: Nick Eastham, Andy Heald.