Leigh RMI 1 Vauxhall Motors 2 by David Magilton: STRIKER Neil Tolson became the first casualty of manger Mark Patterson's tough new code of conduct when he was effectively sacked after being sent off for dissent.

Patterson, who said he will not tolerate any indiscipline, was so incensed with his striker that he said Tolson will not play again for Leigh.

"We had a weakened squad because of suspensions and injuries and when Phil Salt had to come off with a knee problem I knew I had to get out there and make something happen," said Patterson. "I made a tackle which got me booked. That is part and parcel of the game. If my players go out there and get booked for tackles I won't bother about that, but if they get sent off for dissent like Tolson did they will be fined the maximum.

"I won't tolerate it and will go as far as to say that I don't think Tolson will play for me again. I have warned them every training session I will not tolerate bookings for dissent. They are letting the team and me down. If people do that they won't play for me again. I can't afford to take gambles."

Tolson's dismissal, two minutes from the break, just compounded a nightmare first-half which saw RMI trail by two goals to the Unibond Premier Division club which has quickly made a name for itself as giantkillers following the defeat of QPR in the FA Cup earlier in the season.

Their prolific goalscorer Terry Fearns did the damage with two goals in the opening 12 minutes to take his personal tally to 27 for the season.

The former Wigan Athletic striker drove the ball past three startled defenders after just two minutes and when a header put him in the clear 10 minutes later, he unleashed a superb curling shot which gave the 'keeper no chance.

It was a disastrous start for the Railwaymen, already so depleted in numbers they could only name two substitutes - the manager and Gerry Harrison, who was injured in the pre-match warm-up.

Patterson confessed: "I could not believe what I was seeing in the first 15 minutes. We had to make a change before the game when Gerry Harrison's knee blew up. We had to alter the formation I wanted but I won't make excuses for that. The endeavour and commitment in the first 15 minutes from the players was nothing short of disgraceful. That was when we lost the game.

"We gradually got back into it but I am absolutely gobsmacked with that first-half performance. In the second-half, with 10 men, we beat them 1-0, but that means nothing except we can take a bit of heart out of it for the game on Saturday.

"The 10 men showed me they have character but for 15 minutes in the first-half I have never seen anything as poor in any football team I have been involved with. I was very disappointed. They will not perform like that again."

Leigh, despite being down to 10 men took the game to Vauxhall after the break and got just the start they needed when John Robertson's powerful header from Andy Heald's corner, pulled a goal back, but despite constant pressure could not force an equaliser.