Leigh RMI 1 Scarborough 4: NEW Leigh boss Phil Starbuck was left exasperated as his team conceded three goals in the last 15 minutes at home to Scarborough in the Nationwide Conference last night.

Starbuck had seen two encouraging performances since taking over from Mark Patterson, but was unhappy with the way his team folded after David McNiven's penalty had been saved with the score at 1-1.

The manager said: "We gave up the ghost. We lost our shape and did not have enough leaders out there.

"The turning point was missing the penalty. They came back and got a goal and we folded. Too many chucked the towel in.

"It has happened before and I am gutted. The players have let themselves down and me down."

RMI took the lead in the 10th minute when giant midfielder Wayne Maden headed in Warren Peyton's free-kick. But Karl Rose was allowed a free header to level for the visitors 13 minutes later.

The turning point came six minutes after the break when Steve Baker brought down Gerry Harrison. Young substitute Adie Orr hammered in the loose ball -- but the referee had already awarded the penalty, and McNiven's tame shot was saved.

With 15 minutes remaining, Mark Quayle tucked the ball home from Gary Kelly's block to put Scarborough ahead.

Three minutes later, the 'keeper was adjudged to have held down Chris Senior and Quayle scored the penalty. Senior chipped in a fourth six minutes from the end.

LEIGH RMI's Conference match against Gravesend and Northfleet, scheduled for Saturday, December 6, has been postponed. The Kent club are playing Notts County in the FA Cup that weekend.