Leigh RMI 3 Morecambe 1 by Robert Johnson: LEIGH RMI chief Phil Starbuck has set his sights on winning every remaining game in the Nationwide Conference after watching his side blitz Morecambe.
David McNiven struck an impressive hat-trick which helped halt Leigh's alarming run of defeats in the league - and gave Starbuck hope that RMI can beat the drop.
Ryan Sugden scored an second half injury time goal for full-timers Morecambe but it was not enough as RMI recorded their first league win at Hilton Park since the opening day of the season.
Everything went right for Starbuck's men, they fought and harried for every ball, rode their luck in the first half and crucially took their chances to secure three valuable points, in a fantastic team performance.
The win left Starbuck delighted with the victory, and relieved that RMI had ended their winless run.
He said: "That performance had everything from the team. They closed Morecambe down, didn't let them play or settle on the ball at all. It was a great team performance. The preparation for the game was superb, and credit must go to my back room staff. We had a sports physcologist in at the start of the game to help focus my lads, and fire them up, and it worked wonders. I am proud as punch.
"The turning point was the signing of Chris Lane, he was superb for us, as was Carl Rezai who had his best game for Leigh. David McNiven will take the
plaudits for scoring the goals but it was a magnificent team performance all around. I want us to win the last remaining games of the season. Hopefully this win can kick-start our season."
Leigh started with new wing back Chris Lane, who signed on Friday after playing for Morecambe. Warren Peyton was dropped as Gerry Harrison returned in a new look 3-5-2 formation from Starbuck.
Morecambe started brightly and Leigh rode their luck at times when the seasiders missed golden opportunities to take the lead. The Shrimps Ryan Sugden was the main culprit who missed an open net after 30 minutes, hitting the post.
But it was Leigh who looked dangerous and always likely to score, backed by the noisy RMI faithful who could detect that this could the be the Railwaymen's day.
And it was RMI who struck three minutes from half-time. RMI goalkeeper Ian Martin had pulled off a brilliant save from Shaun Garnett, and RMI cleared and went on the counter-attack. Rezai found space to whip in a long cross into Morecambe's box for Lane to hit a first time volley - whose shot was saved. But McNiven pounced to score the rebound.
Three minutes after half time McNiven struck again. A cross found the former Oldham apprentice who slotted the ball home from close range.
Leigh controlled the second half, with Martin pulling off a string of fine saves. After 62 minutes McNiven won a penalty for RMI when he was hauled down by David Perkins.He picked himself up to slot the ball home and send goalkeeper Craig Mawson the wrong way.
Morecambe pressed for a goal and they were rewarded three minutes into injury time. Ryan Sugden curled the ball around Martin from 18 yards to score a consolation goal.
RMI: Martin, Harrison, Rezai, Shepherd, Lancaster, Durkin, McNiven, Roscoe, Lane, Redmond, McHale. Substitutes used: Whitehead, Barrowclough, Peyton
Attendance: 605.
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