LEIGH RMI's boss has resigned himself to the fact that the people of the town are not interested in his football team.

Mark Patterson, who took over the Hilton Park reins at the turn of the year, launched an appeal for Leigh people to turn out and support the Conference team, but two home games produced attendances of just 305 and 525.

The Railwaymen have improved with Patterson at the helm, but his call for support has fallen on deaf ears.

"It is very disheartening," he admitted. "We have to accept that apart from our loyal supporters, the people of Leigh have no interest in the team. It is difficult but we have to address the situation and move forward. It will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday when the players will be in the town signing autographs.

"We gave away 500 tokens to try and get children to come to the game and about 150 turned up on Saturday, which is great, but if you consider there were about 100 away fans and then take away the concessions, that does not leave many out of a gate of 525.

"It does not help out finances. We are facing teams, many of which are full-time and many of which have money. This is RMI's third season in the Conference and we have to improve the financial situation."

RMI play their fourth game in 10 days when they make the daunting trip to runaway leaders Yeovil tonight.

Town have a nine point lead at the top of the Conference and Patterson is fully aware of the task ahead.

"It is a game nobody expects us to get anything out of, but I am looking for a positive reaction to the defeat against Scarborough. We have to stifle them in the middle of the park and I will be looking for more from my two strikers. They did not get good service in the last game and we have to rectify that.

"To be fair to the players though we have had three games on tough pitches and it has taken its toll. The lads are part-time and I'm glad we don't have another game this weekend.

"There have been seven games since I took over and I am happy with the return of four wins, a draw and two defeats. We have nine league games remaining and if we can continue with that percentage I will be delighted."