Nuneaton Borough 2

Leigh RMI 1 LEIGH RMI crashed deeper into the early relegation mire at Nuneaton Borough on Tuesday after gifting their opponents an unlikely winner just six minutes from time.

Steve Waywell's men were already rooted to the foot of the Conference table by Dover's victory over Boston 24 hours' previous and defeat at Manor Park - their fifth consecutive reverse - leaves the club in an unenviable position.

Having recalled Dave Felgate to the starting line-up in place of Craig Dootson, Leigh were on the defensive in the early exchanges and the veteran goalkeeper was called on to deny Marc McGregor when the star striker's toe-poke looked goalbound. Minutes beforehand, Warren Peyton's free-kick had floated narrowly over the crossbar and 10 minutes before half-time, Lee Charles was fortunate not to be red-carded when he outjumped Felgate and punched the ball into the back of the net.

Nuneaton seized the opening goal five minutes before the break in a manner all too familiar to RMI supporters of late. Peyton's corner found an unmarked McGregor lurking at the far post and the striker - believed to be negotiating a trial with Wolverhampton Wanderers - nodded his third of the season.

Leigh had chances of their own in the first period. Dino Maamria headed wide from Phil Salt's centre and the former Southport striker directed a tame effort at Chris McKenzie moments later.

However, the resumption after the interval saw the Railwaymen in pole position to draw level and they equalised midway through the half. Dave German's cross defeated McKenzie in flight and Ian Monk netted from close range.

With twenty minutes to go, Leigh still harboured aspirations of a victory that would take them out of the bottom three and Steve Waywell made an adventurous substitution in withdrawing Tony Black in favour of reserve team striker Michael Twiss 18 minutes from time. Twiss looked sprightly up front but will long rue the chance that he spurned in the latter stages when he failed to convert Marcus Hallows' excellent cross with the goal at his mercy.

By this time though, Borough had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. From Barry Williams' cross, Lee Charles had nodded the winner from close range but Lancashire heads did not fall and the visitors still looked for a second leveller. Twiss' fired a low shot that McKenzie did well to parry and Hallows' instant reactions were not enough to re-direct the ball goalbound.

Leigh will face a difficult task if they are to climb out of bottom spot on Saturday when they visit Essex side Dagenham and Redbridge, who occupy top slot in the Conference having won five and drawn three of their opening eight games.

RMI: Felgate, Spooner, German, Durkin, Farrell, Harris, Monk, Salt, Maamria (Hallows 84), Black (Twiss 72), Fisher (Hayder 57). Subs unused: Derbyshire, Dootson. Attendance: 973.