LEIGH never recovered from conceding three goals in five minutes midway through the first half.

The Blue Square North basement club went agonisingly close with two chances in the first half, but play-off chasing Burscough had no such problems converting their chances.

Playing with a strong wind behind them, the pacy home side romped into a 4-0 half-time lead.

The introduction of Richard Checutti at half-time made an impact for RMI. He set up Robin Gibson to pull a goal back then, after Burscough had scored another, Checutti, whose speed caused problems for the home side, headed Leigh's second.

On Saturday, RMI face another stern test at home to in-form Barrow.