Morecambe 1 Leigh RMI 3 by Martyn Hindley

MARCUS Hallows made one goal and scored the other two as Leigh romped to a crushing defeat of Morecambe - previously unbeaten at Christie Park.

Hallows played a major part in the opening goal as Steve Waywell's men took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Chris Scott's long throw-in found Hallows being pressured by Andy Fensome on the goal-line, but the former Bolton Wanderers striker flicked on for Michael Twiss whose reflex turn and shot was enough to beat Craig Mawson.

Twiss could have doubled his tally on the half hour mark but his miscued effort from ten yards offered a relieved Mawson the chance to make the save and when the two strikers again combined on the stroke of half-time, Hallows fired wide when a little procrastination would have seen him well set to put the game beyond doubt.

Morecambe for their part were poor. Third in the league having won five of six home games in the league to date, the North Lancashire side were devoid of attacking ideas before half-time and were handed the killer blow just seconds after the re-start. Hallows beat the offside trap after being played through by Neil Durkin's incisive through ball and coolly slotted home the second.

With 18 minutes to go, Leigh wrapped the game up with apparant ease when Phil Salt raced clear and squared for Hallows to slot his fifth of the season past a dejected Mawson.

Morecambe recorded a consolation goal with eight minutes through Robbie Talbot but it was all too little, too late.

RMI face Hereford United at Hilton Park in a match brought forward to Friday night because of England's World Cup decider against Greece. 7:45pm.