Six red cards were shown as St Leonards marched to a crucial 3-1 victory over eastern division relegation rivals Rugby United

Saints, now off the bottom of the table, were quickly on the offensive and after 19 minutes Roy Godden nodded in the opener from Danny Fletcher's cross.

Simon Fox doubled the score after turning two defenders and shooting from the edge of the area just before half time.

Soon after the break it was three, Des Boateng getting the crucial touch from another good cross by Fletcher. Dave Pearson pulled one back for Rugby.

Fox received his marching orders for speaking out of turn and was quickly followed by Saints keeper John Odlum and Pearson following a fist fight.

Gary Redgate also took an early bath for a second yellow and two of the Rugby coaching staff were ordered out of the dugout by referee Gavin Hoare.

Hastings Town, with four regulars missing through injury, remain second in the eastern division after a 1-1 draw at Stamford and are a point behind leaders Grantham.

They were in front after just eight minutes when Duncan McArthur's cross was headed back across goal by Landrey Zahana and tucked away by Steve Yates.

McArthur came close to doubling Town's lead when his free-kick was superbly saved by home keeper Steve Corry.

For the home side Richard Bailey fired over before the break and the equaliser came ten minutes into the second half.

Malcolm Ndekwe was given too much time and space in the Hastings area and controlled the ball before firing past visiting keeper Dave King.

Hastings came close to grabbing the winner with seven minutes remaining when Adam Flanagan volleyed against the crossbar.