Morecambe 2-1 Leigh RMI by Martyn Hindley

YET another Leigh RMI game ended embroiled in controversy at Morecambe as the Railwaymen sank deeper into the relegation mire.

All square after 90 minutes at Christie Park, it seemed as though Steve Waywell's men would finally get that elusive away point. Even as Chris Ward conceded a free kick wide out on the Morecambe left, concern was minimal as 30 seconds more than the indicated three minutes stoppage time had been played.

But Leigh nightmares were realised when referee Simpson inexplicably allowed play to continue, and Adriano Rigoglioso's inch-perfect cross was met by the glancing header of substitute Jamie Murphy. The winner was later than last gasp.

Chaos ensued as the visitors remonstrated with officials, but it was a moral victory to RMI that they were even in the game after being a goal behind with just 10 men after half-time.

Paul Williams was on the receiving end of some highly debatable decisions as he was red carded for two niggly fouls in the first period. Against the run of play though, the Shrimps were already ahead as Garry Thompson drilled a powerful drive off the inside of the post just four minutes after climbing

off the bench.

But if they are to drag themselves out of the bottom three, Leigh will have to start taking their chances and they won't be much more inviting than those offered by Jim Harvey's off-form side.

Less than two minutes into the game, Ged Kielty squared unselfishly for Stuart Whittaker but he could only find Craig Mawson's legs with his shot and the goalkeeper positioned himself well once more when Maamria crept in at the back post and let fly from an acute angle.

The tricky Whittaker was the best player on the pitch and made it count with a devilish mazy run approaching the hour mark. He ended it with a shot that stung Mawson's palms and Kielty was the first to react to put the ball into the empty net.

But Lady Luck was not to shine on Leigh, and the same can be said in the transfer market as several moves to strengthen the squad look to have fallen through. Kevin Hulme, Martin Lancaster and Kevin Ball are all set to join other non-league outfits and Crewe's John Miles is bound for Port Vale.