Leigh fall apart at Salford after a bright first half

The night had started promisingly for John Duffy’s men, seeking their first win since their return to the top flight, when they took an early lead.

But despite leading at half time Leigh fell apart midway through the second half with a long-range Salford breakaway try from Ken Sio heralding a late collapse.

Matty Russell had given Centurions a fine start on seven minutes when he took Iain Thornley’s pass to go in at the corner.

Ben Reynolds missed the goal, but Leigh had a 4-0 lead.

They defended that, stopping veteran prop Lee Mossop from grounding.

However, a succession of repeat sets from a knock on, drop out and six again eventually told with James Greenwood taking Kevin Brown’s shirt ball to go over.

Krisnan Inu tagged on the extras to nudge the hosts ahead.

However, Leigh hit the front again on 29 minutes when from a penalty quick hands sent Thornley over on the left.

Reynolds again missed the goal, but Leigh had a 8-6 lead at half time.

Salford took the lead 10 minutes after the restart with Kevin Brown crossing and Inu improving.

And then came the key moment on 63 minutes, with Leigh pressing 10 metres out the ball went wide – but alas Sio got his hands to it, via Inu, and went the full length.

Inu’s goal made it 18-8 and the floodgates opened with Brown’s second followed by tries from Chris Atkin and Harvey Livett.