LEIGH Centurions are quietly confident of taking another major step towards promotion on Sunday - but know they face an uphill battle on Batley's infamous Mount Pleasant slope.

Victory over the fifth-placed Bulldogs will leave Leigh, currently holding the runners-up spot, just three wins away from a place in Division One.

Six teams are separated by just two points at the top of the table, making it one of the tightest races for years.

"We firmly believe we've got the inside running," says Leigh coach Keith Latham. "But the Batley game will be another huge tester for us although in recent weeks we've shown we can handle the pressure with wins over the then top two, Rochdale and Carlisle.

"Our confidence is high but we're approaching the game cautiously.

"Batley enjoy playing on their own ground, especially down the slope. We're expecting a battle royal and are prepared for it."

Leigh have been given a double boost ahead of Sunday's crunch with David Hill and Andy Pucill both back in the starting line-up. Hill returns at full-back after a one-match suspension with prop Pucill returning after missing two games with a groin injury.

Leigh's line-up is: Hill, Purtill, Hadcroft, Donlan, Sarsfield; Gunning, O'Loughlin; Street, Jenkins, Pucill, Nixon, Daniel, Fairclough. Subs: Patel, Blackburn, Liku, Costello.

Leigh's Alliance side last night continued their remarkable rise under new coach Ged Stazicker. A 25-6 home win over Batley was their sixth success in eight games since Stazicker took over in April.

Leigh's points came from tries by Ian Hudspith (2), Joey Harvey and Mark Kay with Scott Aspinall landing four goals and Scott Hilton knocking over a field goal.

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