Leigh RMI 1 Farnborough 2: IT has taken new boss Geoff Lutley just two games to realise the problems he faces in saving RMI from the drop.

With just one win all season Leigh are staring relegation in the face and any hopes Lutley had of a 'quick fix' were sadly misplaced.

It was the same old story as the Railwaymen gave away another sloppy goal in the dying minutes to deny themselves a point.

Lutley said: "We have given late goals away eight or nine times this season and it is down to either a lack of fitness or that little bit of professionalism or know how," he said. "When you only have two or three minutes left what you don't want to be doing is giving the ball away.

"I am disappointed with the first half. The second-half in terms of effort was much better but, if I was a player, I would be reluctant to pick my wages up because that is just not good enough.

"I will try to freshen it up and try to bring in some players who want to play for me."

To add to Leigh's frustrations two controversial decisions involving the woodwork one at each end - went against them and young central defender Paul Drew, who had been one of RMI's best players despite the step-up from the reserves, was unfortunate to be sent off for a second bookable offence in the 84th minute.

It took a slice of luck for Farnborough to break the deadlock in the 32nd minute. Leigh thought Michael Kightly's curling cross had gone out before it hit the upright and deceived keeper Ian Martin, but the referee waved play on and Stephen Hughes had the simple task of tapping home.

Leigh thought they had grabbed an equaliser soon after the restart when Gareth Holmes' blistering drive hit the underside of the bar and bounced on the floor before the keeper could rescue it but the linesman said the ball had not crossed the line.

RMI hauled themselves back into the game when Gareth Stoker equalised in the 57th minute. He took advantage of the defence standing off him to drill home a 25 yards volley.

Leigh were reduced to 10 men with Drew's dismissal and with two minutes left Farnborough's misfiring attack finally found the target when Hughes headed over the keeper, but Paul Harkness got the final touch from a yard out to add to Leigh's misery.