Stevenage Boro 0 Leigh RMI 1 by Martyn Hindley: MARCUS Hallows was in the thick of the action at Broadhall Way as he scored the winner and was then sent off during a solid RMI performance that now makes them mathematically safe from the drop.

Hallows was one of three players shown a red card in second half injury-time following a fracas involving an X-rated challenge from Stevenage substitute Sam McMahon that could have ended Dave Ridings' season.

His two-footed stamp on the Leigh midfielder caused Ridings to be carried off the field on a stretcher but acted as a catalyst for Jude Stirling to wrestle an incandescent Hallows to the ground - an incident preceeding the dismissal of both players.

The scuffle overshadowed a confident display from an RMI side, who lacked the cutting edge needed in the final third while offering the FA Trophy finallists very little during 90 minutes.

The most pleasing thing for Steve Waywell must have been the performance of his defensive trio of Harrison, Durkin and Swan who patrolled the area with commanding authority throughout.

Mark Westhead resumed in goal for the Railwaymen despite being in discomfort at times with a back injury but the Hertfordshire side were slow to test the ex-Wanderer, the first shot on target coming on the stroke of half-time when Westhead was able to beat Paul Armstrong's fierce volley to safety.

By that time though, Leigh could have had a few rather than staring at a blank scoresheet.

Dino Maamria headed at Dean Greygoose in the Boro' goal from close range but the glaring miss of the half was to follow when Gerry Harrison's cross found Ridings unmarked on the penalty spot and he was unable to hit the target with his powerful header.

As the game continued, Ged Kielty started to assume more of an instrumental role; drilling a 20 yards shot straight at Greygoose and then threading the ball through for Hallows two minutes later. The striker took a poor first touch before his goalbound effort cannoned off Stuart Fraser for a corner.

After the hard work and commitment shown by the strike duo of Michael Twiss and Marcus Hallows it was fitting that the two combined for the decisive strike.

Andy Heald's deep corner was powerfully knocked back into the danger zone by Twiss at the back post and Hallows found himself in sufficient space to compose himself before applying the finishing touch.

The striker's night was ended on a sour note with a red card but Steve Waywell is confident that video evidence will save Hallows from a three-match suspension after consulting with the referee after the game.

RMI: Westhead, Harrison, German, Durkin, Swan, Kielty, Monk, Ridings (Spooner 90), Maamria (Heald 51), Twiss, Hallows. Subs unused: Farrell, Archer, Spencer.

Attendance: 1,106.

Booked: Harrison (88 mins, dissent).

Sent-off: Hallows (90 mins, violent conduct).