LIAM Hood wants a Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final place to erase the pain of Leigh’s Summer Bash defeat to Toronto Wolfpack.

The post-match fall out from Centurions’ heart-breaking 28-26 loss at Bloomfield Road may not be over.

But Hood is determined nothing will overshadow Friday’s cup show down with Super League champions, Leeds Rhinos, at Featherstone’s Post Office Road ground.

And ex-Rhino Hood says the last surviving Betfred Championship side has a good chance of springing an upset to reach the last four.

“After that loss to Toronto we couldn’t have gone into a better week,” says the Scottish international hooker.

“We were devastated about the defeat, but we have got to think about the Challenge Cup. There are still smiles on our faces.

“Leeds are a great side but we feel confident going into this game that we can challenge them and get into the semi-finals.”

Leeds have lost five of their last seven games including last weekend’s 33-20 reverse against Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

England centre Kallum Watkins is one of the top names unavailable to coach Brian McDermott through injury.

“We are confident,” added Hood. “They have some world class players out

“But they have also got some great youngsters who will take that opportunity and give it a good go.”

Leigh knocked out top flight Salford in the previous round as part of an 11-game winning run.

That sequence came to an end against Toronto who recovered from 26-14 down to snatch victory through Cory Paterson’s late try and Ryan Brierley’s conversion.

“We feel we didn’t play to the best of our ability,” added Hood. “It was frustrating because our ruck ‘D’ was poor.

“We didn’t control the game in that sense and didn’t put them on their backs.

“Toronto got on the front foot and took their chances. Slowing the game down is something as a team we need to work on.’

Leigh’s defeat drops them to sixth in the table knowing a win would have lifted them fourth.

“It is there for us,” added Hood. “We are still confident of making the four once we get back to the league.”

Ben Reynolds’ missed penalty after the hooter to tie the scores led to confrontational scenes on the pitch.

Rival bosses Kieron Purtill and Paul Rowley were seen having words before Centurions’ prop Jamie Acton tried to intervene.

There were unconfirmed reports of an incident in the tunnel during half-time with Leigh chairman, Mike Latham, left upset by alleged verbal abuse directed at him from Rowley.

Purtill was diplomatic when asked about the flashpoint.

"What incident,” he questioned. “I didn’t see anything.”

Rowley said: “I thought the game was played in good spirit. There was only one high tackle (Peter Mata’utia on Matty Russell) but I don’t think it was deliberate.

“There was some side line banter going on but that’s usual.”