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Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Leigh RMI 2

By Matt Lawton December 13 2003
David McNiven's fourteenth goal of the season gave Leigh RMI an excellent "on the road" victory in Essex to boost their hopes of another year of Conference survival.
RMI went in to the game with a little apprehension following the departure to Stalybridge Celtic of fans' favourite Ian Monk, though Shrewsbury Town striker Ian Fitzpatrick arrived on a month's loan at Hilton Park and had an impressive debut as RMI grabbed a vital victory.

The game began with very little goalmouth action and it took more than twenty minutes for any decent chances to be created, with Paul Bruce firing over the bar for the home side.

Mark Bentley shot over the bar and Chris Piper fired a free kick in to the RMI wall as the Daggers tried to take a firm hold of the game.

However, it was RMI who took the lead when, somewhat against the run of play, Paul Shepherd headed home an excellent cross from former Exeter City left wing-back Andy Roscoe to give the visitors an unexpected half time lead.

Dagenham started the second half looking to get back in to the game, and Tarkan Mustafa signalled their intent with a decent shot early in the secodn half, while RMI goalkeeper Gary Kelly was forced in to a save from Chris Piper.

Former Barnsley winger Carl Barrowclough had a chance to clinch the victory for RMI, but he fired over from six yards out, before loan signing Ian Fitzpatrick, who had an immpressive debut alongside David McNiven in the RMI attack, had a shot from the edge of the penalty area blocked by Tarkan Mustafa.

Steve Watts missed a header for the hosts, but as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, they left gaps at the back and substitute Warren Peyton almost took advantage of the new-found space, only for him to have his shot blocked on it's route to goal.

Unfortunately, the Daggers finally found an equaliser with less than eight minutes remaining when Tim Cole fired Mark Bentley's pass in to the RMI net from six yards out.

Cole's goal seemed to have resigned RMI to a point when they had held the lead for a long time. However, RMI unbelievably regained the lead almost instantly when David McNiven's left footed strike from six yards out to give RMI victory.

It was a hugely impressive three points for RMI, and it will certainly provide them with much confidence for the vital Conference game at home to Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley next weekend.

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