NEW Leigh boss Garry Flitcroft was given an instant lift as Genesis hoisted themselves off the foot of the UniBond Premier Division with a gutsy goalless draw at Frickley Athletic.

The point earned at Westfield Lane in the former City and Blackburn star's first game in charge does little to enhance ailing Leigh's seemingly hopeless bid to avoid relegation.

But Flitcroft can nevertheless take heart from a battling display which suggests Genesis will at least go down fighting under him.

Meanwhile, Stalybridge maintained their hopes of making the Blue Square North promotion play-offs for the second successive season by powering to 2-0 home win over Blyth Spartans.

Steve Burr's side had to wait until midway through the second-half before taking the lead through an Andrew Leeson own-goal.

But there was nothing fortunate about their second soon after as Lee Ellington rifled in a free-kick awarded for a foul on Steve Torpey.

Hyde United's slide towards relegation continued as they crashed 2-1 at Vauxhall Motors after Chris Simm had given them a 13th minute lead.

Lee Furlong equalised for the Motormen, who then tamed the troubled Tigers with a late Tom Hannigan winner.