Leigh find themslves sucked back into the relegation zone after a lacklustre display against fellow strugglers Barrow.

Two wins from three encouraging performances gave Leigh hope that they could haul themsleves clear of the relegation dogfight, but a below-par display left manager Stuart Humphreys bitterly disappointed.

And the RMI boss was at a loss to understand why they played so poorly.

"We have not performed against Barrow and paid for poor defending," he said. "I have no excuses.

"We defended like schoolboys and did not pick up their runners."

Gavin Lee-Ellison missed an early opportunity to put the Railwaymen ahead, but it came as no surprise when Barrow took the lead when a free-kick deceived everyone allowing Nick Rogan to get the decisive touch.

Barrow doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Rogan lifted the ball over John Lamb, and the striker completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion when he flicked the ball over the keeper before volleying it home.

After such a disappointing display, RMI need to pick themselves back up with Blyth Spartans the visitors to Hilton Park tomorrow night.