Tamworth 4 Leigh RMI 3 by David Magilton: PHIL Starbuck was left bitter and angry after he claimed the referee had cost Leigh a vital victory.

Three times Leigh went ahead against their relegation rivals, but a controversial penalty decision, and the dismissal of two players, left RMI with a mountain to climb.

The Leigh manager refuses to throw in the towel and admit that relegation is inevitable.

He said: "The referee was their best player. He has given a penalty that never was and made some of the most atrocious decisions in a football match I have ever seen. The assessor is saying he will put him in a damming report, but that is no good to us, as we have just lost three points.

"The players worked hard and competed, and gave me everything. We certainly didn't deserve that result. We are now seven points adrift of Tamworth. But we will carry on fighting because two wins and we are back in it. I am proud of every player.

"It is demoralizing, but come what may we will be fighting our socks off."

Leigh took the lead in the 19th minute when Chris Lane stole the ball from the keeper and David McNiven banged in his 19th Conference goal of the season. Jamie Brooks levelled, but Carl Barrowclough put RMI ahead again when his corner went straight into the goal. Again Tamworth equalised with an excellent goal from Tony Scully but despite having Carl Rezai sent off, RMI again went ahead when full-back Andy Roscoe found the top corner of the net with a curling free-kick from the edge of the area.

The drama was not over and Leigh were left incensed when Martyn Lancaster was penalised for wrestling Lambs skipper Mark Cooper to the floor in the 75th minute, and fired home the penalty. Leigh's tempers began to fray and Wayne Maden was also dismissed, when he was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Nick Smith.

The nine men could not hang on and Paul Barnes headed home the winner four minutes from time. Substitute Mario Daniel could have equalised in injury time but dragged his shot wide.

Chris Lane, who only joined RMI two weeks ago, has signed for Chester. The Cheshire have allowed midfielder Steve Brodie and wing-back Jamie Heard to join Leigh on a month's loan.