Farnborough Town 3, Leigh RMI 0: RMI will be undoubtedly happy to see the back of a season which has given them so many problems both on and off the field.

But the manner of closing the season was far from satisfactory as Farnborough pounced on a one man advantage to spoil the 'staying up' party.

And that's what it should be for RMI. Less than four months ago they dangled perilously close to the relegation zone and despite the grip of the bank manager getting ever tighter, Leigh's achievement in eking out 16th place should not be under-estimated.

Nevertheless any celebration music was well and truly drowned out by the ecstatic home support as Town gained revenge for their hiding by an identical scoreline at Hilton Park in September.

RMI were on the back foot for the most part of the first half but were destined to end the season on a sour note once tough-tackling midfielder Ged Kielty was dismissed four minutes into the second half. Having already earned a yellow in first half injury-time, a cynical challenge on Dean Green left Ipswich referee Thorpe with little alternative but to reduce the visitors to 10 men.

Such a disparity was to effectively end the challenge of Steve Waywell's side and Farnborough had broken the deadlock within two minutes of Kielty's departure. Green picked himself up to record an attempt on Westhead's goal but as the RMI defence stood static, the ball fell into Lenny Piper's path and his effort from the edge of the box was enough to open the scoring.

Green played no small part in killing of the game which was achieved by virtue of a second goal midway through the second period.

Teasing

It was his teasing, inswinging cross that paved the way for Christian Lee's powerful header to double arrears and misery was heaped onto the showing three minutes from time when Nathan Bunce got enough on Tony Taggart's hanging right footed cross to add a third.

The margin was comprehensive and deservedly so after a period of superiority in the first half had seen the home side hit the woodwork and generally play in a very menacing fashion. Barry Laker redirected Taggart's problematic corner onto the bar and before the gasps diminished and the proverbial dust settled, Piper fired a left-footed shot inches wide of the upright.

Lee was to let the Railwaymen off the hook when his glancing header just floated wide of the upright and Green also wasted a glorious opportunity when well set.

Since becoming Leigh, it was the first time that RMI had lost the season finale, and with the last three matches failing to yield a single point, Waywell will be delighted that his side secured safety with victory at Stevenage 12 days before.

More than even the most ardent Leigh follower could have expected back in January though, Leigh will be back in the Conference next season, and for the time being, that is almost as good as winning the league!

RMI: Westhead, Spooner (Spencer 82), German, Durkin, Swan, Harrison, Kielty, Twiss, Maamria (Farrell 76), Monk, Hallows (Heald 51). Booked: Kielty, Maamria. Sent-off: Kielty. Att: 809. Subs unused: Archer, Derbyshire.