ACCRINGTON Stanley might have been going through a bad patch - but even the most pessimistic of fans must have expected them to nick an FA Cup win over struggling Leigh RMI.

Even if it was a scrappy game or a lucky goal, there was pre-match optimism that surely one of the Conference relegation favourites - with one win all season - couldn't add to Stanley's current woes?

The Reds, with all the memories of last season's FA Cup glories, would come good, wouldn't they?

The answer was a resounding no.

The £10,000 to swell the coffers, a first round appearance with the prospect of a TV slot, and a much-needed confidence boost to a side out-of sorts at the moment - that was all gone.

The Reds had their chances and one goal would surely have been a stepping stone to victory.

But once again there was nothing to celebrate and Stanley made it four and a half hours without finding the back of the net.

Manager John Coleman wasn't able to choose his strongest side with Lee McEvilly suspended, Peter Cavanagh missing and Rory Prendergast still sidelined along with Steve Halford and Jon Kennedy, all injured.

But, as much as Stanley had troubles, Leigh boss Phil Starbuck was struggling to even field a team.

He had to bring himself out of playing retirement as a virus ravaged his squad and he only had four substitutes.

But Leigh coped well and former Reds hitman Gary Williams showed he had a point to prove as he was a nuisance to the Stanley backline.

Starbuck said his side had come with a game plan as the Reds "don't particularly play."

"We aimed to pack five in midfield, defend deep and catch them on the break - and it worked," said Starbuck.

Coleman did try to be fluid with his own formation, pushing Paul Cook and Ian Craney just behind Mullin - but unfortunately, Leigh's plan proved to be the master one.

The statitics show that the Reds dominated possession - 12 shots on goal, compared to five from Leigh and 14 corners as opposed to RMI's eight.

But just nothing came off for them with Mullin hitting the crossbar with a header from a Paul Cook corner in the 13th minute, Ian Craney breaking free but not able to finish it off and Jonathan Smith thumping a header down and out from six yards out just before the break.

"The best team won on the day," said a devastated Coleman. "Possession counts for nothing. We only looked like scoring in the last five minutes.

"Getting knocked out of any cup is a big blow but we have got to get on with it. We were devoid of creativity. We missed Rory and Lee - players who are more than capable.

"But I won't throw in the towel - I have never been one to do that. Perhaps I have placed too much faith in players who are not good enough."

Leigh took the lead with their first real chance when Chris Lane got free rein on the right wing, played in a cross which Chris Simm, who had got in front of the Reds defence, headed home.

There followed plenty of Stanley possession and pressure without the finishing touch and they were made to pay in the 74th minute when Leigh broke and Danny Alcock came out and was judged to have taken the legs of Simm.

Captain Karl Rose - bloodied and bandaged after a clash of heads with Smith - sent the yellow-carded Alcock the wrong way and that was that.

Transfer-listed striker Lutel James - who the fans had been shouting for - did come off the bench for what could be his last home appearance in a Stanley shirt and had two efforts on goal.

But it was Leigh's turn to enjoy FA Cup glory - lining up Conference South side Cambridge City in the first round.

"The first goal was bad defensively, perhaps the keeper should have come out, and the second was not a penalty - Danny got a full hand on the ball. Their management has said so as well," said a baffled Coleman.

"But that's not the reason we have lost - that was just the final nail in the coffin. When things are going badly, things like that happen."

Starbuck said: "We have injuries and illness running through the club and no one has given us a helping hand - not the Conference or anyone. I asked for someone to get blood on their head through sheer effort - and Rosey did. He was outstanding."