Hayes 2 Leigh RMI 1

December 1

The Missioners hauled themselves out of the relegation zone with this battling victory over fellow strugglers Leigh RMI on Saturday.

It was a pair of strikes in seven minutes which turned a half-time deficit into a valuable three points for the Church Road outfit.

Boss Terry Brown can take a good deal of the credit for the turnaround in fortunes. His decision to introduce Dean Coppard after 44 minutes at the expense of the injured Matt Gray transformed the side's fortunes.

First Coppard added some desperately-needed solidity at the back, then from his powerful header Ian Hodges fired a volley into the back of the net for the winner.

This spectacular strike came only a few minutes after the same player had netted with another volley through a crowded goalmouth.

The home side completely dominated the early exchanges. A David Warner shot somehow didn't cross the line, a Dean Clark header was cleared off the line and Hodges managed to direct a header wide of the post.

But the visitors dealt Hayes a hammer blow scoring completely against the run of play in the 17th minute.

Dino Maamria escaped his marker to head past Bertrand Bossu in the Hayes goal. The same player could have put the game beyond Hayes a couple of minutes later, but this time the giant keeper manged to keep him out.

For the remainder of the half Hayes were forced into increasingly desperate defence, keeping out Leigh but never looking remotely comfortable.

After the break, the Hayes of the opening quarter hour were back.

Coppard superbly marshalled the back line and Clark unleashed a pair of fine drives to test the visitors' keeper.

It was no surprise when a dominant Hayes scored the two quick goals. But Leigh continued to look dangerous and it took a fine last-ditch tackle from man-of-the-match Coppard and some good stops from Bossu to preserve the points.

Hayes: Bossu, Spencer, Gallen, Gray (Coppard 44), Sterling, K warner, Clark, Dyer, Hodges, Molesley, D Warner (Holsgrove 40)

The Missioners have a tricky tie away to Margate in the FA Umbro Trophy Third Round.

Margate are fourth in the Conference having won the Dr Martens Premier Division last season.

The match is due to be played on January 12