Leigh RMI 3 Telford 1by David Magilton: IF there was one thing beleaguered manager Steve Waywell wanted more than anything on Saturday, it was a top performance from RMI.

Waywell, who agreed a new four year deal at the start of the season, has come under fire recently from a number of committee members, but he was told after a specially arranged meeting that he was still at the helm.

The manager, in charge for his 350th game at RMI, was therefore delighted when Leigh produced their best home display of the season against high-flying Telford, to provide much needed breathing space among the Conference strugglers.

"The focus in the last few days has been on me instead of the players," said Waywell. "Hopefully now it can be turned back to the players. They have been superb in the last two games and looked very confident. We have created chances all season but in this game we put them away.

"Dave Ridings and Ged Kielty in midfield ran the show. They were outstanding."

Telford boss Jake King was quick to come to his counterpart's defence.

"I have got great respect for Leigh's manager. He has worked miracles at this club and if we were going to get beaten by anyone I would have hoped it was him. He needs the support of the directors. He is down to 15 players in his squad; compare that to the thousands of pounds that the likes of Chester are spending."

The victory hinged on the fact that a class one referee happened to be in the crowd. The fourth official failed to turn up and when the referee pulled a leg muscle in the 13th minute the game was held up for 10 minutes while a replacement was found.

It took Leigh just three minutes from the restart to take a deserved lead when Dino Maamria found Tony Black unmarked in the box and he coolly fired home for his fourth goal in as many games.

Telford levelled with their first real attack when Peter Smith burst through the defence and cracked home a shot into the top corner. Leigh were still the dominant force and went ahead on the half hour when Ian Monk found Dave Ridings on the line and he forced the ball over. Michael Twiss wasted a golden opportunity three minutes later while at the other end RMI were fortunate when Monk and Neil Durkin made goal-line clearances.

RMI effectively settled the issue in the 40th minute when the keeper's poor clearance fell straight to Black, who chipped the ball ahead for the unmarked Maamria to slot it into an empty net.

Leigh: Westhead, Harrison, German, Durkin, Swan, Kielty, Monk, Ridings, Mammria, Black, Twiss. Subs: Hallows, Heald, Farrell, Thompson, Dootson.