By Matt Lawton
February 27 2004

Leigh RMI's bid to make a 'great escape' from the Nationwide Conference drop zone enters it's next instalment on Saturday afternoon when Kent crisis club Margate make the long trip to Hilton Park. Despite being in a fairly comfortable mid-table position, ten points clear of the relegation zone, Margate face being kicked out of the Conference because of their lack of a ground. The 'Gate have been playing at Dover Athletic's Crabble Ground for most of this season but that deal runs out at the end of the season and is unlikely to be resurrceted for the 2004/2005 season. They had looked to re-develop their Hartsdown Park home but their plans were rejected by the local council and as such are homeless and facing Conference expulsion, which ironically could the saviour of RMI.

RMI boss Phil Starbuck welcomes back top scorer David McNiven back in to his side after missing last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Aldershot through a one match ban. Former Chester City centre back Martyn Lancaster also returns to the side after joining McNiven on the sidelines last weekend because of a similar suspension.

Unfortunately, Starbuck will be without midfielders Carl Rezai, Wayne Maden and Warren Peyton with all three still serving suspensions.

However, Starbuck's side is boosted with the inclusion of two recent signings, in the form of former Derby County youngster Gareth Holmes, and former Bury midfielder Steve Gunby.

Margate captain Graham Porter returns to the visitors defence, and he will be set to replace Sam Sodje in the side, brother of Huddersfield Town's Nigerian international centre back Efe.

Midfielder Jay Saunders returned against Telford United after injury and didn't suffer a recurrence of his problem so is set to start again at Hilton Park.

Time is running out and RMI will be desperate for some vital points as they look to survive against the odds and avoid relegation to the new Conference North division.