Leigh RMI 0 Halifax Town 2 by David Magilton

TWO scintillating strikes condemned Leigh to even more problems in the Conference relegation zone.

An improved performance by RMI was nullified by Halifax's hot-shots who twice pulled the trigger to leave Leigh floored with four successive defeats.

Manager Steve Waywell must now pull his troops together once again as they take on Doncaster on Saturday, another side with aspirations at the other end of the table.

At least he will have Phil Salt returning in midfield after suspension. The consistent Salt was sorely missed as Leigh conceded defeat in the midfield.

Fortunately the Railwaymen's defence looked solid and secure despite being under almost constant pressure and it took two superb finishes from the Yorkshiremen to prise them open.

As Waywell admitted: "They scored two great goals and I can't blame my players defensively. They pressed us in midfield and we didn't create much until late in the game.

"It is all about confidence. We are not playing well, confidence is low and we are not getting ther breaks. We have to work harder to get the results and I don't think we did that in the midfield or attack. Our midfield is sitting back and not pressing the play.

"We can't afford to do that at Doncaster. We have to work a lot harder and be much tighter."

Town struck in the 12th minute when striker Simon Parke, a player Waywell wanted to sign but could not afford, headed on to Ian Fitzpatrick and he took the ball to the edge of the box before firing home an angled shot which beat the desperate dive of the 'keeper.

The visitors had much the better of the chances but poor finishing and at times desperate defending kept them at bay until the 55th minute when Parke struck with a viscious 30 metre volley. When he gathered the ball there looked to be little danger, but the former Southport striker's shot was hit so ferocioulsy that the 'keeper could do little other than watch it bounce off the underside of the bar and go into the goal.

RMI created chances late on in the game but Neil Tolson missed from close range and nobody could get on the end of Craig Maden's defence-splitting cross.