Doncaster R 1 Leigh RMI 0 by Martyn Hindley

A MISCUED shot from Jamie Paterson was the only difference between professional Doncaster and semi-pro Leigh RMI.

Mark Patterson took charge of the Railwaymen for the first time in South Yorkshire just a day after Steve Waywell's dramatic resignation, and the adventurous strategy employed by the former Wanderers' midfielder almost reaped rich rewards.

Neil Durkin adapted well to life as a right-back, Paul Williams started to look like a player who has made over 700 Football League appearances at left-back. Furthermore, Andy Heald can really utilise his prodigious talent in midfield.

Leigh had barely been out of their own half in two previous visits to Doncaster, but on this occasion, they had enough chances to be ahead by the interval. Neil Tolson headed over from Salt's casual centre and Ged Courtney had the ball taken off his feel by Mark Albrighton as he shaped to shoot.

Albrighton was at the centre of a mini-controversy toward the end of the second half when he was accused of handball.

The Tolson-Courtney strike alliance was workmanlike as Patterson counted the cost of an injured Dino Maamria, and once Rovers transformed arrogance into slick football late on, Leigh were caught cold.

Stuart Coburn was wrong-footed when midfielder Paterson mishit his shot and planted it in the corner.

All who wore the yellow shirt on Saturday fell to the ground in frustration and disappointment at the final whistle. But as Patterson is quick to acknowledge, if performances continue in this vein, celebrations will be much more regular in the future.