In the absence of the injured Steve Settle, the unfortunate victim of a broken nose and fractured rib following a collision with Hyde goalkeeper Craig Dootson last weekend, RMI were able to field Brad Maylett for the first time since his recent signing from Blue Square Premier side outfit Northwich Victoria, but the right winger's debut didn't go to plan as he suffered a groin strain that saw him forced to leave the field, with Richard Chetcuti coming off the bench after little more than twenty minutes of play.

RMI's first 'Family Day' proved a great success as an above average 260 supporters passed through the Hilton Park turnstile, but on the field it was in truth a rather drab first half, with the game coming to life after twenty eight minutes when Robin Gibson was fouled on the right hand side of Gainsborough's penalty area as the midfielder found himself on the receiving end of a somewhat X-rated challenge that saw Gibson receive a heavy challenge to the thigh.

From the resultant free kick, left footed Mark Smyth swung the ball to the back post where strike partner Gavin Salmon was able to eventually scramble the ball past goalkeeper Adam Sollitt and give RMI a priceless lead.

That advantage lasted only a matter of twelve minutes though when Leigh goalkeeper Richard Mottram was at fault, allowing Lewis McMahon's left wing corner to drift through his hands and in to the net when it appeared that he was likely to claim the ball unchallenged on the edge of his six yard box, leaving the two sides level at the break.

Although the visitors look to be in a comfortable position as the Blue Square North season heads in to the final straight, RMI failed to step up the intensity of their performance during the second half, and their relegation plight became all the more desperate as the visitors took the lead on seventy five minutes.

Leigh substitute Scott Willis has harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in his own area as the ball bobbled and bounced around the edge of the area, with McMahon calmly slotting the ball past Mottram to claim his second of the afternoon.

The destination of the three points was sealed with five minutes remaining when Danny Anson beat Mottram to a left wing cross to head the ball home, although he connected with the ball from an apparent offside position.

Leigh centre half Rob Marsh-Evans, who previously in the game had cleared the ball off the line with Mottram beaten, led the RMI protests to the officials and as such received a red card for his dissent.

Robin Gibson had a stoppage time shot tipped around the post by Sollitt, but it wasn't enough for RMI to get back in to the game as they suffered their eighth home defeat of the league season.

RMI are without a game next Saturday, but make the short trip to local rivals Burscough a week on Tuesday (26th February) for another vital Blue Square North fixture.

Leigh RMI: Richard Mottram, Jonathan Goulding, Owen Roberts, Neil Carroll (Scott Willis), Robert Marsh-Evans, Luke Prosser, Bradley Maylett (Richard Chetcuti), Robin Gibson, Gavin Salmon (Danny Davidson), Mark Smyth, Andy Heald

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