Leigh RMI 5, Blyth Spartans 3 ANGRY Leigh boss Steve Waywell left his defenders with no doubt about the way he felt after a goals giveaway in the second qualifying round FA Cup clash.

They should have had the game sewn up by half-time but slack marking continually allowed the visitors to creep back into the game.

Fortunately in Ian Monk they had a winger with the goal touch and his impressive finishing, which earned him a hat-trick, compensated for their defensive lapses.

"I am not happy with the defence, it was terrible," fumed Waywell. "Every game we have to score two goals because we are conceding simple goals. Teams are not going to allow us to do that every week.

"It is not good enough but I am going to sort it out. Paul Jones is brilliant every game. He does everything simple and I wish the other players would learn from him."

RMI had the worst possible start, conceding a ninth minute penalty when Steve Jones caught David Burt's ankles and Glen Robson slotted home the first of his three goals.

Leigh always looked the more threatening and after having a goal disallowed for offside Monk equalised in the 40th minute. Striker Ian Black beat two men on a run into the box before crossing for Monk to force the ball over at the far post.

Just before the break Monk was on target again when he raced through the defence and rounded the keeper to slot home a superb individual effort.

Blyth's chances were not helped when Andy Toman was shown the red card for dissent in the 52nd minute and Monk took advantage to grab his third on 66 minutes when Neil Matthews' shot was blocked by the 'keeper, but the winger kept his cool and slotted the ball home.

The two goal cushion did not last long as seven minutes later Robson seized on Steve Locker's through ball and cracked it home.

Back came Leigh and on 83 minutes Monk's cross was neatly headed home by Matthews only for the defence to concede a goal at the other end within a minute when again Robson raced through to score.

Matthews added his second a minute from time when he failed to control a cross but the ball bobbled out of the 'keeper's hands, hit the striker and rolled over the line.

RMI will now entertain either Crook Town or Hyde United. Tomorrow's league clash at Droylsden has been postponed because the visitors are involved cup replay.

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