LEIGH shipped three goals in the first 20 minutes as their survival hopes took a blow against fellow strugglers Hucknall Town.

The defeat leaves shell-shocked RMI teetering on the brink of Blue Square North relegation - 12 points adrift of fourth bottom Hinckley United with six games of the season remaining.

The Railwaymen were behind within two minutes after Leigh goalkeeper Tim Dittmer allowed Mick Galloway's free kick to fly over him.

Town doubled their lead three minutes later when Owen Roberts' misplaced backpass allowed Peter Knox to dispossess Dittmer and knock the ball into the empty net.

Knox added his second to effectively wrap up the contest moments later.

The visitors were handed an lifeline when Richard Chetcuti was nudged over in the area, only for Rob Marsh-Evans' spot-kick to be saved.

Leigh were awarded another penalty after the break but, this time, Chetcuti was denied.