Leigh RMI 0 Farnborough 2 by David Magilton: LEIGH RMI's chances of staying in the Conference look slim.

The Railwaymen's fifth successive league defeat leaves them with a mountain to climb if they are to survive the drop, as they are now seven points adrift of Tamworth, the team closest to the relegation zone.

It has been a bad week for the Conference minnows, with this reversal coming on top of their embarrassing FA Trophy expulsion for inadvertently fielding an ineligible player in the 1-1 draw against Stalybridge Celtic.

Leigh boss Phil Starbuck admitted his side were second best and that too many of his players were happy to lose.

He said: "I am bitterly disappointed with the result and the way we lost is gut-wrenching for me. It seems some players are happy to get beat and that is not good enough. If I could get them out I would. I am constantly encouraging them but they just throw it back in your face. It is so discouraging for everyone involved. Some are happy to lose their personal battles.

"It does not hurt enough and there is not enough pride in the team."

Steve Redmond was superb at the back, but he did not have enough support from the rest of the team, who played as if they had already accepted relegation was inevitable.

Farnborough dominated the early stages and went ahead in the ninth minute when Richard Hodgson's corner found veteran Ken Charlery unmarked at the far post and the 39-year-old headed over the keeper and into the top corner.

Leigh's top scorer David McNiven twice had chances to level but uncharacteristically spurned them both. The visitors secured the three points in the 77th minute when Hodgson's volley was parried by Ian Martin, but the ball was not cleared and Forinton pounced to slot it home.

RMI, with strikers Kris McHale and Carl Alford making their debuts, tried in vain for an elusive score but did not create any real goalscoring opportunities.