LEIGH RMI 0 BURTON ALBION 1: LEIGH'S fifth defeat in six games consigned them to almost certain

relegation, but manager Phil Starbuck is already looking ahead to a bright new future.

The RMI boss has had to contend with the legacy of the squad he was given when he took over last October, but he is determined to make a fresh start, whatever division Leigh finish up in.

Martyn Lancaster is the first casualty, as the centre-half has been told his contract will not be renewed at the end of the season, and there will be many more.

"We have a major rebuilding task to do this summer," he said. "We have a new stadium on the horizon, I have a fantastic board, and we will build a new team.

"I can't knock the players' effort and passion but their decision making is a different story. More often than not it is very poor. Some of the things they are trying to do are beyond me.

"It is tough staying positive when you keep losing but we have a great staff and we will keep ploughing on."

RMI's latest defeat came courtesy of a 12th minute strike from Dale Anderson, who neatly tucked home Robert Gill's inside pass.

Leigh could have scored in the first minute but Tristram Whitman and Gareth Holmes were both denied by the keeper, but that was their only real first-half chance.

Albion, however, thought they had opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Jon Howard's header looped over the keeper, but Andy Roscoe headed off the line.

In the second-half Burton missed a host of chances, the closest when Sam Shilton hit the upright, but Leigh had a glorious opoortunity when Carl Rezai's header from Roscoe's free-kick went to the keeper.