Morecambe 2 Leigh 1:RMI face losing striker Karl Rose and midfielder Gareth Holmes for the next two months after a disappointing Conference defeat at Morecambe.

Rose faces surgery on a cartilage injury after a challenge early in Monday's game at Christie Park, while Holmes, bravely returning to the midfield despite needing surgery to his knee, faces a lengthy lay-off after badly damaging his hand in colliding with an advertising hoarding. The injuries were the latest blows for an RMI side who have picked up just one point from their first five games.

Gary Hunter put the Shrimps ahead just after the half hour mark with a stunning drive from 25 yards. Hunter turned provider after the break as his low cross from the left was prodded home by the on-rushing Wayne Curtis, who stabbed the ball home.

Leigh soon halved the deficit when Alex Meechan neatly finished inside the area, but were denied a leveller when Gareth Stoker's shot cannoned off the bar.

"We certainly deserved at least a point from the game," said assistant manager Gary Kelly.

"We battled hard in the second-half and matched them and squandered a goal-scoring opportunity. Unfortunately they got a lucky goal with a sliced shot.

"Their second goal was a bit disappointing because we lost possession in midfield, and it was an uphill battle after that.

"But we got a goal back and put them under pressure. We had a great chance and unfortunately hit the bar. That is the way things are going for us at the moment."

" The performance of the players was excellent, particularly after Saturday's game, and we couldn't ask any more from them. Hopefully the tide will turn and that little bit of luck will come our way. We have been creating chances and not taking them. We scored one today but we have to be a bit more ruthless in the box."