Leigh RMI 2 Forest Green 0 by David Magilton: THERE was an almighty sigh of relief around Hilton Park after Leigh notched up their first win of the season.

They were more than happy to inflict more suffering on struggling Forest Green as just one point from their five previous outings had left RMI desperate for a pick-me-up.

This was just the tonic they required, but it took two terrific strikes to sink the bottom club.

RMI manager Phil Starbuck was relieved his side had broken their duck.

He said: "I am very happy, it is nice to come away with a win which has put a smile on our face.

"Overall we dominated and looked the better side, with fitter and stronger players.

"I am disappointed that we did not score more. We missed a bagful of chances.

"When it is 1-0 you never know what will happen, particularly with the way things have gone for us this season. When the second one went in it was a big relief.

"Alex Meechan had four chances and didn't hit the target and he knows he should be doing better than that, but the important thing is we got the result.

"We have all got a lift from that because it is a game we needed to win. It is a big confidence boost for the club and hopefully we can build on it.

"We scored two fantastic goals, but we should have done better. We stopped passing the ball and doing the right things. We had two new lads in there and I am very pleased with them.

"They are both good players, one scored a goal and the other went close.

"We needed a bit more quality and strength on either wing and we have got that now.

"I am pleased for the club and everyone concerned because we have been playing well and not got our just rewards, but we have done in this game."

The Railwaymen had a dream start scoring a goal within three minutes when Chris Simms controlled the ball on the edge of the box before shooting low on the turn and squeezing the ball just inside the upright.

Rovers recovered and fought back, but for all their possession rarely caused Leigh's defence problems and it was the home side that squandered further opportunities to go ahead.

Meechan had four chances to score against his former club, while Simm and new boy Michael Byrne, on loan from Stockport, should have added to Rovers' misery.

It took another exceptional strike to clinch the win, this time from Leigh's other debutant, Ian Fitzpatrick, who fired a 68th minute free kick, which dipped over the wall, and keeper Danny Greaves could only help it into the back of the net.

Rovers created few scoring chances but their best efforts were wasted when Jon Richardson blasted over from close range and Steve Cowe failed to get his head to a cross from Des Lyttle, after his storming run into the box had beaten three defenders.