Leigh RMI 4 Margate 2

KEEPER Phil Smith had an afternoon to forget as Margate slipped to a disappointing defeat against Nationwide Conference strugglers Leigh.

It was Smith's failure to hold a cross that led to Steve Brodie's headed eighth minute opener and after the returning Graham Porter had conceded a penalty David McNiven tucked home the spot kick to make it 2-0 on 30 minutes.

Adrian Clarke's looping header just a minute later gave Margate hope but just three minutes after that Smith made a hash of a clearance allowing Brodie to net his second.

The game was up for the visitors when Mario Daniel rifled a superb fourth for Leigh in the 66th minte but the Gate did at least have the last say when substitute Darren Watson hit a late consolation.