Boston United 2 Leigh RMI 1by Martyn Hindley

STEVE Waywell was furious with the match officials after his Leigh RMI side undeservedly left York Street empty-handed.

The visitors had won on the road at Dagenham and Margate earlier in the season and showed the same determination as they outclassed high-flying Boston during the whole of the second half and were beaten in debatable circumstances.

Leigh welcomed crucial midfielder Dave Ridings back to the starting line-up after a ten-week injury lay off but it was Ged Kielty and Ian Monk whose exceptional performances should have taken RMI to victory.

Kielty had the only effort of note in a tight first half but Paul Bastock comfortably stopped his volley and the same player had a better opportunity three minutes into the second half only to drag his effort across the face of goal. Ian Monk was pulling the strings in attack and his presence in every area of the pitch exuded energy and creativity that was worth a goal all afternoon. However, it was Boston who took the lead on the hour. Nicky Spooner was adjudged to have fouled substitute Mark Angel on the edge of the box and Darryl Clare hammered the subsequent penalty past Mark Westhead.

In a manner that seemed to defy logic, the goal was a catalyst for Leigh's best spell of the match. Michael Twiss will rue the two chances that he failed to test the goalkeeper with, Neil Fisher fired agonisingly wide of the target and from his cross, the impressive Dino Maamria headed over the top. RMI dominance was getting a few home fans ruffled but it was ended with the advent of the second goal ten minutes from time.

Anthony Elding broke free of the offside trap and squared the ball for David Town to slide into the empty net and effectively seal the game.

Leigh deserved at least a point out of the game and still chased it in the dying minutes. Twiss was able to scramble home a consolation after Bastock's clearance had struck Maamria but it was too little, too late for RMI who face Hayes in a relegation six-pointer at Church Road next week.

"I am very disappointed today because we troubled them more than they did us," said Steve Waywell afterwards. "We were beaten by the officials today and we certainly did not deserve to lose."