LEIGH RMI are the Fall Guys of the Unibond Premiership.
The March Team of the Month have, in such a short time, taken an almighty tumble as high aspirations of Conference football have been thrust into oblivion.
A succession of defeats culminated in a devastating loss to First Division champions-elect Droylsden in the President's Cup Final.
Any neutral watching the 2-1 home defeat would be forgiven for believing Droylsden were playing in the higher flight as they dominated for 80 minutes.
The only surprise was their reward of just two goals.
When Tony Black scored an individual cracker with just nine minutes left he put a little colour back into an otherwise transparent performance.
But RMI needed the transfusion sooner as the Bloods held out despite a jitter or two.
"I was pleased with the strike but it came too late for us," said a disappointed Black, who, with fellow striker Neil Matthews, was starved of decent service."
Droylsden were yards faster in thought and deed.
Early on Dave Felgate had to pull off a terrific blocking save but he had no chance when a mistake by Stuart Locke set up the first goal.
Droylsden grew in confidence and increased their lead on the half-hour.
Black's magic, dribbling into the box before lobbing the goalie with a left foot chip into the far top corner, set up a tense finale. But RMI had left it too late.
Manager Steve Waywell said: "We lost it in the first half, giving silly goals away, didn't compete and were always second best. Once again we had individuals who didn't perform."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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