Gravesend and Northfleet 3 Leigh RMI 1: THE repercussions of Leigh RMI's heavy defeat at Gravesend will be lengthy.

The psychological effects being outweighed by the double sending off that will decimate the squad in the next few weeks.

Wayne Maden's first half rush of blood earned him two bookings and his dismissal opened the floodgates for 'Fleet to cruise to their first home win of the season.

Maden flattened Chris Moores nine minutes before half time but can consider himself unlucky to be given another yellow three minutes later when Ben Walshe collapsed under his challenge.

Gravesend used the 'man over' to maximum effect three minutes before the interval when Stuart Coburn found James Pinnock's effort too hot to handle and Robert Owen slammed in the rebound.

The hosts even had time to swap their goalkeepers around at half time - Alex O'Reilly's injury ensuring he made way for Paul Wilkerson.

But the change went virtually unnoticed as the action switched to the other end. Coburn failed to seize Walshe's effort allowing Rob Howarth to nip in and embarrass the goalkeeper with a second.

RMI were given a flicker of hope when Dave McNiven produced a superb lob to beat Wilkerson and notch his sixth of the season with 27 minutes left on the clock.

A third successive defeat was unsatisfactorily cemented when Moores stooped to nod home a free-kick from Walshe eleven minutes from the final whistle.

But Leigh's most crippling blow was saved until the very last. Martyn Lancaster clashed with James Pinnock after he felt the striker had recklessly clattered Stuart Coburn with the two racing for possession. Lancaster then scuffled with Pat Gradley before earning his second red card for violent conduct in ten games. His suspension will almost certainly be for three matches and could cost RMI dear.

But the Railwaymen are still struggling to gel after a further three players made debuts in this game and unless the ship is steadied very soon, Leigh could find themselves with a long season ahead.