Kettering Town 0 Leigh RMI 1 LEIGH RMI moved up into fifth place in the Nationwide Conference after an impressive away victory over last season's FA Trophy Finalists.
RMI controlled the game for long spells and were always comfortable on the ball, and with Kettering clearly suffering from a lack of confidence after two defeats, it was only a matter of time before the Railwaymen made their advantage pay.
Steve Jones had threatened the Poppies defence early in the game, capitalising on Dave Ridings' vision in midfield but it was Ged Kielty who supplied the pass in the 29th minute for Tony Black to run through the Town rearguard before rounding keeper Steve Wilson and sliding the ball into an empty net.
Ricky Harris, Ridings and Kielty were dominant figures in the middle and the defence, given such a rough ride at Southport last Tuesday, had a far easier afternoon.
Keeper Craig Dootson was only called into action once in the first half when a Craig Norman free kick was deflected as it went through the defensive wall.
Leigh continued to control the game after the break and should have made it two when Kielty's shot was blocked by Wilson but Black struck the rebound wide.
Time after time Jones and Black cut through the Town defence but wasted good opportunities to put Kettering out of their misery.
Kettering piled on the pressure in the latter stages and in the closing minutes Jamie Udall headed one corner clear from under the bar and deep into injury time Colin Vowden rattled the woodwork.
But RMI survived and go into today's home clash with Scarborough on the back of two successive wins.
Manager Steve Waywell was pleased by the performance of his team but would have liked more goals.
"We were very disciplined and kept our shape, which is something you have to do at this level, It was a shame we didn't score more goals, that would have put the game to bed a lot earlier."
Leigh: Dootson, Scott, Farrell, Udall, Swan, Kielty, Ridings, Cumiskey (Mason 71), Black Jones. Subs: Reid, Durkin, Matthews, Mason, Felgate.
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