Forest Green 3 Leigh RMI 1

AFTER racking up an unbeaten run of eight matches, RMI were finally undone by a passionate Forest Green side last night.

The Railwaymen's first visit to Gloucestershire produced a thrilling battle between two committed sides, with Dave Ridings dealing out a sucker punch at the end of the first half that left the home side chasing the game.

Even when Iain Swan was sent off for his second bookable offence shortly after Forest Green took the lead, Leigh's resolve never looked to be weakened by their one-man disadvantage.

However, Rovers were rewarded for their unrelenting determination to maintain their unbeaten record at The Lawn in 2001 with three points that hoisted them out of the relegation zone.

Forest Green pressured Steve Waywell's men from the outset as Leigh defended resolutely.

Leigh worked forward in the latter stages of the first half, with top scorer Steve Jones proving dangerous on the attack, while Ged Kielty and Tony Black drew sharp saves from Rovers goalkeeper, Steve Perrin.

However, it took a smart header from Ridings off a set-piece corner to break the deadlock.

Another new recruit on his debut, Darren Middleton, cut open the defence with his through ball to Alex Meechan, who cracked his shot into the roof of Dootson's net in the 56th minute.

Middleton was again the supplier for Adrian Foster's angled strike two minutes later, after neat interplay with Sykes.

Swan's 61st minute dismissal did little to alter the flow of the game, with Kielty thumping the crossbar and Jones harrying the defence as Leigh pushed for an equaliser.

But Rovers had the final word. Mark Cooper's clearance from the edge of the penalty area found Meechan just inside the Leigh half and, after seeing Dootson off his line, the pacy marksman lobbed an inch-perfect shot from 35 yards into the top corner to secure the three points.

Leigh RMI: Dootson, Spooner, Trees (German 59), Durkin, Farrell, Swan, Monk, Ridings, Kielty (Gardner 88), Black (Hayder 82), Jones. Subs not used: A. Mason, M. Morrell.

Referee: S. Castle (Wolverhampton).

Attendance: 407.