Leigh RMI 2 Scarborough 0 THIRD in the table and three wins inside a week. No wonder the Nationwide Conference new boys are still pinching themselves.

Successive victories over Southport, Kettering and now Scarborough have seen RMI rocket from 16th spot to within three points of leaders Rushden and Diamonds.

Manager Steve Waywell admits he couldn't have scripted it better but despite the Railwaymen's flying start, he's keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

"Of course we're over the moon with nine points out of the first 12," he says. "But this is just the start of a marathon season and we are setting our sights no higher than consolidating our position in this league."

Steady improvement from Day One has been RMI's trademark. They've come on 100 per cent since that opening Hilton Park defeat by Dagenham. Scarborough were the latest side to discover that RMI might not be the Conference easy-beats most pundits predicted. Their three scalps in the past week show that.

"Southport are one of the fancied title contenders, Kettering reached last season's FA Trophy Final and Scarborough were a Football League club less than two years ago," Waywell pointed out.

The cash-strapped Seasiders were sent back to the East Coast with their tails between their legs as RMI dominated 80 per cent of the 90 minutes.

"We are playing with some confidence now, and it's starting to show. I'm sure that if we maintain our discipline and our shape, we'll make an impact."

They certainly made an impact on Southport who, if they thought Leigh would be easy pickings, were sadly mistaken.

RMI set the tone when star striker Tony Black forced keeper Andy Woods into a low save inside the first minute and Peter Cumiskey fizzed a 30-yarder over the top.

Scarborough were shaken by Leigh's early bombardment and their defensive marking was all over the place when Black's long cross found Ged Kielty at the far edge of the penalty area. Kielty knocked it back in, Cumiskey won his header and Dave Ridings stole in unnoticed to plant a far post header beyond Woods.

"It was just the sort of start we wanted," added Waywell. "We had Scarborough on the back foot and the goal was a bonus and helped settle us down."

Craig Dootson hardly had a shot to save at the other end until Steve Brodie and Chris Tate fashioned half chances that came to nothing against a rock solid RMI defence. Centre backs Ian Swan and Jamie Udall mopped up everything while the distribution from Ged Scott and Andy Farrell gave Leigh's midfield playmakers plenty of possession. The only surprise at half time was that Leigh were just one goal to the good.

That was to change within 21 seconds of the start of the second period.

Black's pace up the left and deft footwork in the corner, gave him the chance to whip in a low cross that was only half cleared. Ricky Harris, lurking just inside the area, thumped a low drive into the bottom corner to double Leigh's lead.

And it could have been more. Woods pulled off a double save from Steve Jones and Black and Cumiskey had a goal-bound drive blocked.

In the final 20 minutes Scarborough piled forward in greater numbers but generally Leigh coped well under mounting pressure. Dootson did well to get down to parry one effort from Brodie and late on the young RMI keeper spectacularly turned a 20-yard screamer from Gareth Stoker over the top. LEIGH: Dootson, Scott, Farrell, Udall, Swan, Harris, Kielty, Ridings, Cumiskey, Black, Jones. Subs: Reid (for Kielty 80), Durkin, Matthews, Mason, Felgate.

GOALS: Ridings (4), Harris (46)

Half Time 1-0. Full Time 2-0.

Bookings: Ellender (Scarborough) foul on Jones; Williams (Scarborough) foul on Scott; Reid (Leigh) foul on Brodie.

Referee: Shaun Procter-Green (Rotherham).

Attendance: 836.