Leigh RMI 1 Doncaster Rovers 4

STEVE Waywell's Christmas lunch will be an anxious affair this year as a special performance from midfield maestro Jamie Paterson ensured that the Doncaster jinx continued for RMI.

Paterson's first major contribution came after 28 minutes, a lofted cross to the penalty spot where Mark Sale was ready to pounce and make his aerial prowess count - looping his header over Mark Westhead.

It was the second part of a major body blow for the Railwaymen after they had been reduced to 10 men by the dismissal of Gerry Harrison. The newly-recruited centre-half was shown a yellow card early on for a late challenge on Andy Watson and after clattering into Neil Campbell 12 minutes later the former Burnley defender could have no complaints about earning an early bath.

Rovers, who had never conceded a goal against RMI in three previous meetings, doubled their lead when Gareth Owen threaded an impressive through ball for Paterson to latch on to and score.

Worse was to follow. In heated exchanges soon after the goal, Maamria, who once plied his trade at Belle Vue, lost his temper and could have been dismissed soon after being booked for dissent, Farrell was booked after an uncharacteristic show of petulance with Campbell and two Rovers' players also earned themselves an invitation to the referee's notebook. Manager Waywell was forced to substitute the irate Tunisian Maamria before his departure was enforced by the referee, to which he responded by walking straight down the tunnel.

All of which led to a brief Leigh resurgence, but their already slender hopes were dashed when Paterson added a third on 70 minutes.

Leigh may have been out of the hunt for points but they were hungry to prove their worth to disgruntled fans and did so with arguably the best goal of the game as a consolation 16 minutes from the end. Westhead's long clearance reached substitute Michael Twiss, who crashed the ball into the roof of the net.

The ray of light was flickering in RMI's favour but was extinguished a minute later when Paterson's cross found Watson 16 yards out and the midfielder pounced to drive powerfully home on the half-volley