LEIGH CENTURIONS 16, WIGAN WARRIORS 30: Centurions blew their big chance of a first victory for 20 years over their biggest rivals.

Leigh produced a near-perfect first 40 minutes to lead 10-8 at half time, but then followed it up with a shocking start to the second period.

That ruined Leigh's chances as they saw a two point lead quickly turned into a 30-10 deficit.

Coach Darren Abram blamed referee Karl Kirkpatrick for the switch in fortunes. He said: "We were penalised out of the game."

After four straight defeats, two of them by record margins, Wigan boss Ian Millward was relieved to come away with two points. "Leigh made it tough for us, as I knew they would. We kept our composure and came up with the goods when they tired in the second half."

Leigh drew first blood inside five minutes when a set play between John Duffy and halfback partner Mike Govin created a try that Phil Jones improved. Within minutes a Denis Moran bomb to the corner gave Martin Aspinwall the chance to touchdown.

Two Jones penalties stretched Leigh's lead until six minutes from the break when Stephen Wild made a break and Aspinwall finished again.

Leigh shot themselves in the foot by making a ill-disciplned start to the second half. Danny Tickle booted two penalties and a conversion to add to a Denis Moran try to give Wigan an 18-10 lead.

The turning point came after 63 minutes when Rob Jackson dropped Moran's bomb and Danny Tickle crashed over for another six-pointer.

When another Moran kick caused confusion in the Leigh defence and Terry Newton picked up the score, the result was beyond any doubt.

To their credit Leigh battled on and were rewarded by two late tries. Mike Govin scooted in from dummy half and on the hooter Paul Rowley and Duffy created a third Leigh try for Matt Sturm, both improved by Jones.