VAUXHALL Motors have issued a fresh appeal for more support after only 180 fans watched them kick-off the season with a fine victory on Saturday.
Goals from Anthony Wright and captain Steve McNulty ensured Carl Macauley's men got off to a perfect start on the pitch, but club officials were left 'heartbroken' by the paltry attendance.
Chairman Alan Bartlam said: 'I know it wasn't the most attractive of opening fixtures but, nonetheless, an attendance of 180 isn't anything like sufficient to sustain a club at our level.
'People need to appreciate there is a local club on their doorstep - we need them to recognise this and turn up.
'I know it's not the first time I've made an appeal like this, but if people don't come along and support us, we will not be able to survive at this level.
It was heartbreaking really.
'Other teams in this league attract five, six or even seven times as many fans as we do and we have to compete against them.'
The 180 fans at Rivacre Park on Saturday witnessed a solid display from a Motors side missing five first-teamers.
Brian Moogan, Mark Williams and Tom Field were suspended, while Mike Garrity and Tim Dittmer sat the game out due to work commitments.
The visitors began brightly and took an 11th-minute lead when Chris Simm was left in acres of space and scored past a stranded Sean Lake in the home goal.
But the Motormen fought back strongly and Leigh keeper John Lamb was put under tremendous pressure from quality crosses from Michael Duffy and Stuart Whittaker.
The hosts drew level on 22 minutes through striker Anthony Wright, who ran on to Lee Furlong's right-wing cross and beat Lamb at the second attempt after his initial shot was partially blocked.
Vauxhall took a firm grip on the game after the break and Lamb twice denied Furlong as well as Karl O'Don-nell.
On 81 minutes, the game swung the way of the home side when a handball in the penalty area allowed captain Steve McNulty to step up and hit a spot-kick winner.
* VAUXHALL: Lake, Duffy, Dames, Ness, McNulty, Griffiths, Lawless, Furlong, O'Donnell (Martindale 75), Wright (Addo 90), Whittaker. Subs: Jones, Spellman, Thomas.
* The Motormen visit Scarborough on Saturday (3pm) and entertain Blyth Spartans on Tuesday (7.45pm). Admission at Rivacre Park is £8 for adults, £5 for senior citizens and £3 for under 16s.
