Halifax Town 1-0 Leigh RMI by Martyn Hindley: DOWN to the bare bones, a threadbare Leigh RMI side fell to a second slender defeat in four days across the Pennines.

Mark Patterson was even forced to name himself among the substitutes as Halifax Town finished a festive "double" over the beleaguered Railwaymen,

who have now failed to score in open play for over nine hours.

The Shaymen have only lost twice at headquarters since surrendering their Football League status last season, but they never took control of this game despite chances early on.

Leon Ryan - who had hardly put his tracksuit on before being dragged off the bench to replace the injured Andy Farrell - produced the first top class save from Stuart Coburn with virtually his first touch of the ball.

Furthermore, the man of the moment at Hilton Park denied Lewis Killeen with a scrambling stop on the stroke of half-time.

But RMI were not overawed. Their striking options diminished by Dino Maamria's injury and Neil Tolson's unavailability, reduced the chance of them ending a five match sequence without a point were muted.

But the efforts of new young striker Daniel Bent did not go unnoticed by the caretaker boss.

Patterson said: "He's short of match practice and he was huffing and puffing a bit towards the end but he gave his all and everything considered he did a great job for us."

Ian Fitzpatrick was the man who masterminded Leigh's Boxing Day downfall, and it was the substitute midfielder who created the opening goal on the hour mark.

His cross from the left hand side found Phil Clarkson and his header shaved a post before offering the stranded Coburn no chance.

The Lancastrians thus crashed to a sixth successive defeat, and more change is set to follow with centre-half Nicky Hill unable to complete his loan spell at the club after hobbling off with a torn hamstring.

Widespread change is also anticipated in the squad before the Conference campaign continues at Burton Albion in 16 days time.