Oldham 22 Leigh Centurions 26 by Mike Hulme

THE Centurions proved a point or two as they snatched a dramatic late victory at Hurst Cross.

Injury-hit Leigh showed their promotion credentials as they kept their nerve to win a tight tussle against last season's beaten Grand Finalists.

After losing in the closing stages last week, Leigh displayed commendable strength of character to snatch a late winner after seeing a 22-10 lead pegged back to 22-22.

Fittingly the winning score came from Simon Svabic who slipped away down the blind side to cross against one of his former clubs and fire Leigh back into second place in the table.

After a dominant first 40 minutes, Leigh couldn't shake Oldham off and despite plenty of pressure, they couldn't find the score that would have settled the issue long before it was.

Oldham couldn't have got off to a better start, Kiwi second rower Bryan Henare strolling through some weak defence for a second minute try converted by John Braddish.

But Leigh went on to control the rest of the half and were greatly influenced by hooker David Highton, signed on loan from Salford just before the weekend.

Highton got Leigh going with a neat solo try and from the re-start he broke clear again for the supporting Neil Turley to send Adam Bristow under the posts. Turley added both goals for a 12-6 lead.

Only seven minutes later Leigh extended their lead to 10 points when Jon Roper put winger Mark McCully over. When Willie Swann set Turley over, Leigh were almost out of sight.

But Oldham refused to through in the towel and a Neil Roden try just before the break gave them the springboard for a second half fightback.

Henare's second try in the 43rd minute closed the gap and when Braddish added a 56th minute penalty, Leigh looked like wilting in the sun.

The 12 point lead disappeared completely when winger Will Cowell sneaked in at the corner and Gareth Barber converted from the touchline.

But Leigh kept their nerve and pushed Oldham back to their own tryline where Svabic popped up with the 74th minute winner.