Leigh RMI 1 Forest Green Rovers 2

SHOT-SHY Leigh RMI produced a disappointing display as they were outgunned by Forest Green Rovers.

RMI struggled to produce many clear-cut chances and slick Forest Green capitalised as they went on to record their first away day victory of the season.

Manager Mark Patterson fielded two new midfield signings with former Macclesfield pair Jamie Milligan and Lee Hardy both making their debuts.

But the pair failed to make an impression and were both hauled off by half-time by Patterson.

On-loan striker Neil Robinson scored his first goal for the club after 34 minutes but a double strike from Forest Green's evergreen forward Neil Grayson secured the points for the visitors.

Patterson said: "I don't understand what happened to the lads as we're normally quick starters but we didn't get going which allowed them to get a foothold and we never recovered.

"There were too many players having an off-day. We were second to most balls in midfield and my front line didn't perform. As the game went on we gave away two very sloppy goals.

"We are short on midfield players. I thought Milligan and Hardy would have made it happen but clearly they were not quite fit enough and didn't show me enough today to convince me to sign them."

Forest Green started off the brightest as RMI struggled to handle the pace of Rovers on-loan striker Steve Brodie -- who was the architect for many of the visitor's chances throughout the afternoon.

RMI's new look back three looked shaky with Paul Shepherd making way for the ever present Nicky Hill, as the trio failed to gel.

And it took RMI 14 minutes before they registered a shot on goal -- Jamie Milligan firing over a thirty yard free-kick.

Milligan was replaced by Wayne Maden in the 29th minute as Patterson looked to get a foothold into the game.

And his tactical switch paid dividends in the 34th minute. Lee Hardy's long corner found the unmarked Robinson who powerfully headed past Perrin.

But it only took Forest Green four minutes to draw level. Brodie delivered a perfect cross from the right for Grayson whose header was superbly saved by Stuart Coburn -- but Grayson flicked the rebound in from six yards.

Lee Hardy made way for Nicky Hill after the half-time break. But Forest Green went ahead six minutes after the restart -- thanks to Brodie. The pacy striker went on a charging run and crossed for Grayson who volleyed home from close range.

Marcus Hallows replaced David McNiven after 59 minutes, who had a quiet afternoon. And Hallows nearly grabbed an equaliser four minutes from time. Maden crossed to Redmond, who laid on a cushioned header for Hallows -- but he could only shoot over the bar.

Leigh RMI: Coburn, Durkin, Redmond, Lancaster, Shepherd, Monk, Milligan, Peyton, Hardy, Robinson, McNiven. Subs: Maden (29), Hill (45), Hallows (59), Martin, Heffernan.

Attendance: 415

Referee: P.J. Grove (West Midlands)