AFC Telford 6 Leigh RMI 1
LEIGH'S ability to self-destruct was highlighted in sensational fashion with a miserable second-half display at Telford.
With two minutes of the first-half remaining, the Railwaymen were leading 1-0 and in control - but one lapse of concentration allowed Telford to equalise and there was no way back.
RMI's confidence and organisation drained away and what looked like a possible away win turned into a six goal rout.
It was a miserable debut for goalkeeper Richard Mottram, but he was hardly to blame for the capitulation which leaves RMI eight points adrift of safety at the foot of the Blue Square North.
Leigh went ahead in the 16th minute when Robin Gibson broke free of a challenge and crossed for Kieran Lugsden to head home his seventh goal of the season at the back post.
Telford equalised on the stroke of half-time when Mottram produced a superb save to stop Justin Marsden's shot from what looked an offside position, only to watch the midfielder crack the rebound home.
With their timely equaliser and the half-time introduction of substitutes Gary Birch and Lee Moore, it took Telford just 10 minutes of the second half to take the lead, when the unmarked Birch headed home.
Soon after Mark Maddox could only put an attempted clearance into his own net and rampant Telford added a fourth when Jamie Vermiglio slotted the ball past the keeper.
Birch grabbed his second goal and substitute Lee Moore made it six in the dying minutes.
RMI now face a mammoth relegation six pointer' at home to Vauxhall Motors on Saturday, a game they must collect maximum points from if they are to maintain any realistic hopes of avoiding relegation to the UniBond Premier Division.
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