Margate 2 Leigh RMI 0 by Martyn Hindley

THE LEIGH renaissance is over as the curse of the coast struck again for RMI.

The Hilton Park outfit have come away pointless from trips to Southport and Scarborough already this term, and 12 long-suffering fans who had made the journey to South Kent were to suffer further disappointment.

A shocking opening quarter of an hour for Mark Patterson's boys ensured that relegation-threatened gloom will continue to linger like the fog had done over the Crabble before kick off.

Margate have been disadvantaged this season by playing their matches at Dover, but for some players it was still a case of 'Home Sweet Home.' Former Dover hero Jake Leberl had a free kick cleared by Neil Durkin in the fifth minute, leaving Phil Collins to slam the rebound past Coburn from the edge of the box.

Worse news was to follow when Gerry Harrison limped off the upset the balance of the side, although his replacement Wayne Maden came close to equalising soon after coming on, when his header drifted inches wide. Harrisons's premature exit from midfield left the manager cursing his luck at the failure to recruit Chester's Lee Woodyatt the previous week, and as chance after chance went begging for the visitors ,he probably lamented the lack of a second striker too.

Dino Maamria twice found himself in promising positions - forcing a good reflex save from Phil Smith shortly after thudding a shot into the advertising hoardings.

In six pointers such as these though, guilt-edged misses are punished, and thanks to Jay Saunders that fate awaited the Railwaymen. Saunders dawdled momentarily in possession, but still managed to rifle a thunderous shot past Coburn from 25 yards to tie up the points.

Patterson

points to

Gerry's injury

THE loss of skipper Gerry Harrison after 16 minutes was the main contributing factor to RMI's disappointing display at Margate admitted manger Mark Patterson.

"When Gerry went off we lost our shape and his influence," Patterson acknowledged. "He has been excellent for me since I have taken over and forms the backbone of the team. Unfortunately the injury is a recurring knee problem and I have told him to get it sorted out.

"We will be without him for a while but I will be looking for a replacement

"Before the game I told the players that the first 10-15 minutes would be crucial but we conceded a goal after five minutes. Thereafter we played well and made chances which was pleasing but in the second-half we were poor. Our passing was not good and set pieces, which are vital to our survival, were disappointing."

Ged Kielty is still a Leigh player despite Stalybridge showing an interest in the midfielder.