RMI went in to the game knowing that anything but a win just wasn't enough as they look to make yet another amazing escape from the relegation trapdoor, but it was Farnborough who created the first chance of the game, with former Yeovil Town and Peterborough United striker Howard Forinton having his shot blocked by RMI's former Chester City centre back Martyn Lancaster.

Farnborough did take the lead barely five minutes later though when, with less than five minutes on the clock, journeyman striker Ken Charlery headed home Richard Hodgson's corner.

RMI created their first meaningful chance of the game ten minutes later when top scorer David McNiven had his shot parried away by Farnborough goalkeeper Mark Osborn.

Ryan Semple had a chance to extend his side's lead but the Farnborough star's shot was comfortably saved by RMI goalkeeper Ian Martin, who missed last weekend's ultimately void FA Trophy encounter with Stalybridge Celtic because he had featured earlier in the competition when on loan at Rossendale.

RMI continued to try to break through but failed to create any truly clear cut chances, mustering only a Carl Rezai thirty yarder which flew wide of the goal.

RMI exerted a bit more pressure on the Farnborough goal, and forced two Warren Peyton corners in succession after debutant Kris McHale had his shot from the edge of the penalty area tipped around the post by Osborn, but it was to be the final chance of the first half for either side, with the visitors leading by a goal to nil at the break.

McHale had the first chance of the first half, but his left foot strike was cleared, while a couple of minutes later his fellow debutant Carl Alford had a twenty five yarder blocked by a Town defender.

Farnborough had their first chance of the second half when debutant striker Ebeli Mbombo Doudou had his header saved by Ian Martin, while Paul Rickers blasted over the bar from outside the area.

Carl Rezai had a shot saved by Osborn but the minutes were ticking away and RMI saw their opportunity to grab some vital ground on their relegation rivals disappearing before their very eyes.

Howard Forinton drilled the ball over the bar for the visitors as they looked to seal the game, before Doudou missed a gaping chance when he put the ball wide from six yards out.

Richard Hodgson forced a good parried save from Ian Martin before Forinton made up for his previous miss, sealing the three points for the visitors after drilling home from the edge of the area.

RMI continued to battle on in the vain hope of resurrecting their hopes of gaining something from the game, but in their heart of hearts they knew it was all over, despite Carl Rezai's best efforts as he had a shot blocked.

Farnborough had chances to make the victory all the more emphatic when first Ali Chaaban and then Hodgson had chances to extend their lead, but Chaaban drilled wide, while Hodgson was denied by Ian Martin, before Chaaban forced a smart save from Martin who tipped it around the post with the game's last chance in the final few minutes.

It was a devastating defeat for RMI which leaves them seven points adrift of safety at the bottom end of the Conference safety, and even the optimistic of RMI supporters will now admit they have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid relegation after nearly four years in the Conference.

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