Leigh RMI 0, Millwall 3
THE FA Cup game that will always be remembered as the RMI home tie that never was ended at 3pm with RMI's travelling support being given a New Den standing ovation by Millwall supporters.
It hadn't the giant-killing that many a Yeovil Town admirer envisaged but events proved that family entertainment still exists.
Indeed, the tie as a contest was virtually dead after just 19 seconds when Neil Durkin hauled down Paul Ifill and refereee Stephen Lodge had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Neil Harris has acquired quite a reputation for his prolific nature from the spot and made no mistake to smash past veteran Dave Felgate.
The strike failed to sedate the travelling support and as the first half progressed, Leigh gained more confidence.
Although it took 43 minutes until their first shot on goal through Ged Kielty's speculative drive, neither goalkeeper had his work cut out and given the start, Leigh would have been delighted to trail by just one goal at the break.
Not only had RMI competed in the latter end of the first half, they had a strong penalty appeal of their own responded to in the negative when Steve Jones crashed to the ground under the challenge of Steven Reid.
Both players and spectators alike were irate, yet continued to pursue the holy grail that would have been the equaliser.
Black curled a 20-yard effort into the arms of Tony Warner while Monk forced a tame effort into the side-netting under pressure from Lawrence.
Sensing the danger that was being imposed by the 'visitors', Millwall finished the game off in a professional manner to earn a second round tie with fellow Second Division outfit Wycombe Wanderers.
From Reid's corner, Moody's header cleared the crossbar and it was from a flag-kick that the Lions doubled their advantage with 23 minutes left on the clock.
Reid's corner broke loose to Marc Bircham, who controlled his right-footed drive beautifully on the half-volley into the bottom right-hand corner.
Two goals to the good, Millwall played the remainder of the tie in low-key mode in the knowledge that their progression was safe.
In reality, it could only have been threatened by Paul Daniels-style escapology following the disastrous events that had occurred in the opening third of a minute.
David Livermore could have added a third when his shot deflected wickedly off the shin of Dave German before spinning wide but the sucker punch was soon delivered for the third when Moody's deflected effort nestled in the back of Felgate's goal.
With the feeling that the game was over as an event, the Railwaymen created their best openings of the game in an attempt to grab a consolation.
Neil Matthews, with almost his first touch of the ball dragged his shot wide of the mark, while the tireless Jones also fluffed another attempt.
Kielty for his part was the Stuart Pearce in commitment, the Paul Gascoigne of skill, and the Ossie Ardiles of mastery in midfield. After running the show in the centre of the field, his departure was greeted, not only with a standing ovation from the 100-plus Leigh fans amassed in the North Stand but also the home supporters, who appreciated his contribution to a fine match.
For long periods of the game, the gap between the Second Division and the Conference were far from apparent.
On the whole, Leigh RMI represented their town and their division in a fully respectable manner and managed to make a mockery of premeditated safety concerns after impressing a popular image upon the New Den.
RMI: Felgate, Trees, German, Durkin, Farrell, Swan, Monk (Harris), Ridings, Kielty (Matthews), Black, Jones. Subs not used: Critchley, Dootson, Spooner.
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