Manifold - Downpipe Gasket

[d7ve_b 44 1 Cars]

What's the trick to getting them to seal? I've spent the last three nights trying to fit a replacement downpipe but the gasket refuses to seal the join. I'm using a Pug supplied fitting kit but the gasket useless. It seems too big to seat properly but too small to actually seal the join? I don't know what I'm doing wrong and I'm quite frankly miffed with the whole thing. The car's due in for it's MOT on Tuesday and there's no way it'll pass blowing like a b'stard. I'm tempted to put the other exhaust back on but to be honest the seat in the donwpipe for the gasket is exactly the same so I'm expecting the same issues going down that route.

 

Any tips/advice?

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Sounds like either the wrong kit or the D/P is wrong, Pug gaskets always fit better than anything else