Dover Athletic 0 Leigh RMI 0 by Martyn Hindley

THE scoreline tells the biggest story in this distinctly end of season encounter at the Crabble where defences were largely on top and an untroubled Leigh side embarked on the long journey home having extended their unbeaten run to five games.

Since the management furore in January, RMI have lost just two of 14 matches in the league as if to vindicate Waywell's position in the manager's hotseat.

The dreary encounter in South East Kent may not have been memorable for much on Saturday but it saw the cautious boss guide his side past the 50 point mark he has long cited as his main objective for this season in order to guarantee safety.

As for the match itself, the less said the better. Dover - desperately in search for points to save them from the near inevitable plunge into the Ryman League next term - looked woefully inadequate despite their battling qualities and created just two half chances in the opening 45 minutes.

With the first, Leon Kelly dragged the opportunity well wide of Westhead's left hand post and the second was just as effective, Kevin Seabury curling his attempt well wide of the goal.

Often breathtaking, but so regularly frustrating as well, Michael Twiss did not have his shooting boots on at the Crabble and Leigh were to rue that in the first half when he missed the target from close range when it seemed

harder to miss.

Entertainment

Dave German's effort from distance represented the only alternative entertainment of the half.

The crowd, depressed even more by the fact that their horses had collectively failed to win the National, the atmosphere in the second half was positively morgue-like.

Hardly anyone batted an eyelid when Matt Carruthers' inswinging corner hit the angle of post and bar, although a faint gasp could be detected when Westhead was forced into a fine save from Steve Norman to keep the Bhoys at bay. Whether that coincided with confirmation of the SPs from Aintree is another matter.

Leigh looked comfortable through Swan, Harrison and Durkin, although they may look for extra fire-power up front from Dino Maamria when leaders Boston come to town on Saturday. The volatile striker has completed a suspension after lashing out at Terry Angus in last month's clash with

Nuneaton Borough but was kept out of Saturday's game with a groin strain.

RMI: Westhead, Harrison, German (Heald 80), Durkin, Swan, Kielty, Monk, Thompson (Spencer 90), Hallows, Twiss, Ridings. Subs unused: Archer, Spooner, Farrell. Attendance: 907