Non-LeagueBy John Bullen City in here Leigh RMI 2 Worksop 4
By Martyn Hindley Sad RMI suffer costly cup exit LEIGH RMI crashed to an abysmal defeat in the FA Cup final qualifying round against Unibond Premier League side Worksop Town which cost them £20,000.
Worksop held the lead after just four minutes when Gary Townsend volleyed home from the edge of the area to leave Mark Westhead stranded but it wasn't long before the Railwaymen found themselves back on level terms.
Michael Twiss stole in at the near post to convert after Dino Maamria's positive work down the right hand side but Steve Waywell's men were never on sparkling form and were soon to trail again.
The Nottinghamshire outfit reasserted their undoubted superiority when Linden Whitehead nodded a second from close range and Dean Cropper - the teenager on work experience from Sheffield Wednesday - sensationally added a third when he found himself unmarked to head home Gavin Smith's accurate cross.
RMI's defending was shambolic at best, the midfield jaded looking and the overall commitment questionable. In a game that Leigh desperately needed to win from a financial perspective, the Conference side looked second best throughout and barely got out of their own half until the second period.
When they did find their attacking form, the Railwaymen could have had a hatful. Ian Monk in particular was guilty of two glaring misses from close range: the first dragged powerlessly at Jamie Holmshaw's legs, the second unbelievably denied by the body of Ryan Davis on the line.
Nevertheless, Worksop continued to play with skilful resilience and when they wrapped up the game with little more than 10 minutes remaining, it was nothing more than they deserved. Andy Smith celebrated his cameo appearance as a substitute with a finish worthy of the occasion and Worksop's place in the first round draw was secured.
Leigh were handed a consolation goal deep into stoppage time when Martin Digle put through his own goal but Paul Mitchell and his team deserved their moment of glory and the subsequent trip to Second Division Bournemouth.
For Leigh, there was only a chance to look at what might have been and they will need to head back to the drawing board to avoid further embarrassment when they face Hull City at Boothferry Park in Tuesday night's LDV Vans Trophy tie.
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