LEIGH RMI had to drastically reduce its wage bill in an attempt to finish the season, the club claimed.

The last-minute exit from the FA Cup, at Cambridge City, on Saturday, saw the Railwaymen,s last chance of a much-needed cash injection evaporate.

Chairman Bill Taylor, who accepted his manager Phil Starbuck's resignation last night, admitted that the club had to slash costs to survive.

He said: "We have no money, and as we only get crowds of two to three hundred, there is only one way to go if we want to finish the season and that is to cut the wage bill.

"We have no money coming in other than through the gates. Nobody will put any more money in.

"Phil Starbuck had a limited budget and has done his best, but it has not worked out for him.

"I am sorry to see him go as he has worked under tremendous pressure and put in100 per cent effort. I would like to thank him for all he has done, and wish him all the best in the future.

"The Conference is much harder than it was. It is a lot higher standard. We have had terrible results go against us and have also had terrible injuries.

"Things are not going right, and after going out of the cup, we have had to look at things realistically," he said.