INTERIM head coach Kurt Haggerty was always optimistic Leigh Centurions would not go through an entire Super League campaign without winning a game.

And at the 17th time of asking, Centurions finally backed up his belief courtesy of a 32-22 triumph over lacklustre neighbours Salford Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village.

“I always thought we would get a first win,” said Haggerty as 12 points in a three-minute spell late on sealed the club’s long-overdue success.

“I didn’t know where it was going to come or at what point. But I knew we would win a game.

“So, I am happy and really pleased for the lads. They have worked really hard through all the adversity.

“In the second half we have been known for falling away from games but we have been getting better and better.

“In the first half there was a chance we could have got a few more points on the board. But to come in at half-time being in the lead was a good feeling for the lads.

“I believe in the players and believe in everything we have been doing. The hard work was rewarded today.

“We put together a near 80-minute performance and came away with a relatively-comfortable win.”

Leigh captain Liam Hood and former Red Devils prop Adam Sidlow scored decisive late tries, while Craig Mullen added both conversions to finish with 16 points from eight successful kicks, five of them penalties.

Non-playing squad member Tom Spencer led the victory song with Haggerty admitting: “He was the only one who knows the words because we haven’t won for that long.

“The new boys don’t even know what it sounds like.”

Leigh remain bottom of the table and are still odds on favourite for relegation.

“We just go forward to the next game and will try to win again,” added Haggerty, whose side face champions St Helens on Thursday.

Ken Sio scored a brace of tries for Salford after winger Rhys Williams and Harvey Livett crossed over as Krisnan Inu added the extras.

Salford boss Richard Marshall said: “We must congratulate Leigh on their efforts. They played really well and deserved to win.

“It was a tough ask. There was a decent crowd and they got behind their team here.

“They were going to win a game and unfortunately it was against us.

“I am bitterly disappointed, not just because it’s Leigh but about the way we played and how we managed the game. Our ball-control was woeful.

“There were 23 extra sets we had to defend through our lack of discipline and our ball control. I liked the way we finished the game on a positive.

“But for the other 70 minutes, I am bitterly disappointed. We didn’t back up last week’s performance.

“We got ourselves in a position to win the game but our lack of discipline defensively was awful. It’s the story of our season.”