LEIGH RMI want as many people through the gates as possible this weekend -- to help their opponents.

The Conference club have agreed to pay Saturday's visitors Exeter City £2 for each spectator over the 600 mark.

RMI struggle along with average gates around 450, but agreed to the proposal in an effort to increase the size of the crowd at Hilton Park and at the same time give Exeter, who are in administration, a helping hand.

The money will be paid out of the normal ticket price, already one of the lowest in the League at £9 to sit and £8 to stand.

Chairman Bill Taylor said: "We have had such poor gates that I will be delighted if we can top the 600 mark as it will be 150 fans more than we average.

"The idea has attracted a lot of interest in Exeter and hopefully they will bring a good following."

Meanwhile Exeter have appealed against a 12-point deduction imposed by the Conference for operating in administration.

City, relegated from the Football League last season but pressing for an instant return, are the first club to have been hit by the punishment, which was voted in by the Conference member clubs at their summer AGM.

So far Exeter, who recently went into a Corporate Voluntary Agreement to reduce their debts and stay in business, have retained the points pending the outcome of their appeal.

Meanwhile RMI boss Phil Starbuck has moved quickly to snap up Runcorn's Mike Harris.

The 22-year-old former Newcastle United defender is the third new face to be added to the Railwaymen's squad since Starbuck took charge at Hilton Park.

He has also signed former Manchester City forward Adie Orr and 21-year-old midfielder Carl Rezai and there could be more before Saturday's visit of Exeter City. In a week of transfer activity, Starbuck has also released frontman Chris Downey, who is to join a club in Malaysia.

Leigh remain in the relegation zone after Shrewsbury grabbed a last minute goal to force a a 2-2 draw.