Leigh RMI 1

Forest Green Rovers 2 LEIGH RMI slipped to their fifth home defeat of the season on Tuesday as Gloucester part-timers Forest Green Rovers capitalised on sloppy home defending to snatch all the points at Hilton Park.

Leigh were blasted by manager Steve Waywell after Friday's tie with Hereford when he claimed that they were 'lacking commitment' and the Railwaymen were little better as last year's FA Trophy finalists ran rampant.

In front of a pathetic home crowd of 405, Leigh made a sluggish start but almost snatched a surprise lead 12 minutes in as Michael Twiss laid a superb ball off for Marcus Hallows, but his dipping long range effort comfortably cleared the crossbar. The former Bolton striker blazed another half-chance over the bar soon after but it was Nigel Spink's side who grabbed the lead after 27 minutes.

Attempted

Kevin Langan spread the ball wide towards Futcher but Dino Maamria's attempted interception only succeeded in putting Simon Travis through, and the midfielder made no mistake, lashing home from 12 yards past the despairing dive of Mark Westhead.

Travis saw an effort clear the crossbar just nine minutes later when he tried his luck from 30 yards as Leigh looked like capitulating before the break. Their performance after it was even less inspiring.

Waywell's decision to involve Maamria on the left-wing to supply Hallows and Twiss up front backfired as the former Southport striker struggled to get into the game and was withdrawn from the attack with 30 minutes remaining in favour of Tony Black as yet another home fixture threatened to go pear-shaped.

Maamria's frustration was visible as he trudged off the field but that of the home fans was wearing thin as many left the stadium when Forest Green wrapped up the game.

Substitute Nathan Lightbody ensured that the trip home to Stroud would be a happy one for the visitors. Alex Meechan raced free of Neil Durkin's attentions down the centre and when the young defender had forced him wide he was still able to find Lightbody, who calmly steered home the second.

Leigh fought back valiantly in injury-time when Black was upended by Martin Shaw but got back to his feet to ram home what turned out to be a consolation goal from the penalty spot.

Lacking

RMI did not deserve a point. They were lacking in fight in midfield, sloppy at the back and neither front man was given the service that their recent form craved. Leigh will hope to get their faltering wheels back on track when they visit Barnet on Saturday after the Hertfordshire side were relegated from Division Three last term.

Of more significance to local fans will be the tie against Scarborough in Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy first round, where victory could see the Railwaymen pitted up against league opposition.

RMI: Westhead, Spooner, Scott (German 73), Durkin, Farrell, Salt (Kielty 53), Monk, Fisher, Hallows, Twiss, Maamria (Black 61). Subs not used: Swan, Heald. Attendance: 405