Southport 5 Leigh RMI 0: LEIGH RMI spent all of Friday night hoping that their game at Haig Avenue would go ahead after the big freeze had placed it in doubt - only to watch themselves plunge deeper into the relegation mire.

The Railwaymen capitulated in catastrophic and embarrassing style as the Sandgrounders' took advantage to elevate themselves to the dizzy heights of fourth in the Nationwide Conference whilst paradoxically, Leigh lie four from bottom.

Without first choice goalkeeper Mark Westhead (back and shoulder injury), Dino Maamria and Gerry Harrison (both suspended), Steve Waywell's men knew that they had quite a task ahead of them if they were to end their miserable run of five league games without a win and their quest was pushed further from their reach when the hosts were awarded a first half penalty

Barry Jones' thundered a goalbound shot which Andy Farrell was controversially adjudged to have handled ten yards out and Chris Lane stroked the penalty past a helpless Craig Dootson - in his first match since returning from a loan spell with Bradford Park Avenue.

Leigh had few chances to restore parity during the remainder of the first half but gained their fair share of fortune 90 seconds before the break when 'Port were reduced to 10 men. Referee Nigel Bannister had already flashed a yellow card in the direction of Neil Grayston for an earlier foul and the midfielder can consider himself unfortunate to have collected a second after a niggly foul on Marcus Hallows. As if to illustrate how unfazed they were by the red card, the hosts doubled their advantage when Simon Parke's chip was skilfully volleyed home by Steve Whitehall on the stroke of half-time.

RMI were hammered in the second half as their shambolic defensive display was ruthlessly exposed. A third goal came when Parke disposessed Ged Kielty and powered home, a fourth was added when full-back Dean Howell got in on the act, and most RMI fans were enjoying the hospitality of the nearest bar by the time the icing was put on the cake a minute from time - Phil Eastwood ending a delightful move with a delicate right-footed lob over Dootson.

Leigh have a major task on their hands to revive their season, and they will start with two cup ties in a week. Tuesday sees them entertain Rossendale United at Hilton Park in the Lancashire Marsden Trophy, and that will be followed when the FA Trophy campaign begins with a tricky tie against another Unibond League club, Emley, on Saturday.