WHEN it comes to keeping up with the Joneses Leigh RMI are the team to beat.

Defender Paul Jones looks to be the find of the year - but he is being run close by tricky winger and namesake Steve.

The two have been consistent performers all season and their displays in Saturday's FA Umbro Trophy 1-0 success over highly-rated Boston United were no exception.

Jones P was a tower of strength with another commanding display at the heart of the defence while Jones S was a constant thorn in the Boston defence and came up trumps with the winner just when it looked as if Leigh would draw a blank.

In a performance coach Steve Waywell described as 'the best this season', RMI picked themselves up from the disappointing FA Cup exit in midweek to produce a much more committed and professional display.

"We created loads of chances in an entertaining game," said Waywell. "We were complacent against Crook and paid the price but we were committed today. We outplayed them and it was great way to bounce back."

Apart from a hectic opening 10 minutes when Boston blitzed the home defence and David Norris was unlucky to see his shot hit the post, RMI dominated the game.

Tony Black created a host of chances but frustratingly failed to find the target, while excellent saves from the keeper denied Dave Ridings, both Joneses and Brian Ross.

For all RMI's attacking skills their failure to score looked to have cost them dear in the 40th minute when Paul Jones clipped a player's ankles in the area and the referee awarded a penalty.

Dave Felgate, villain in the previous game, turned hero when he tipped Paul Wilson's spot kick onto the post.

Felgate also produced a marvellous tip over the crossbar late in the game. Ian Monk and Black both hit the woodwork after the break and Ross even found the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for pushing.

Just when a draw looked on the cards against the leaders of the Dr Martens League, Steve Jones produced a magic finish 11 minutes from time to give RMI a win they deserved.

He raced onto Felgate's long clearance, cut inside two defenders and calmly tucked the ball home.

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