St Helens crashed to a fifth successive Betfred Super League defeat as Leigh piled the pressure on under-fire coach Paul Wellens on Friday.

Saints conceded eight tries as the rampant Leopards produced a scintillating performance to run out 46-4 winners at Leigh Sports Village.

The hosts laid the foundations with four tries in a blistering 23-minute first-half spell through Umyla Hanley, Tom Amone, Darnell McIntosh and Kai O'Donnell.

Two-try Josh Charnley, Lachlan Lam and Matt Moylan completed a rout that could have been even more convincing while McIntosh weighed in with a further 14 points via the boot.

Saints were reduced to 12 men for two spells in a ragged and embarrassing display that did little to suggest they could halt their alarming slump and scrutiny over Wellens' position is certain to increase.

The opening quarter was short on chances but not on intensity as both sides contained each other amid a raucous atmosphere.

Yet Saints suffered an early blow when playmaker Jack Welsby was forced off injured after an awkward landing and things got worse when Mark Percival was sin-binned on 16 minutes.

The England centre was punished for a late hit on Moylan and the Leopards took full advantage as they powered over for three tries in quick succession.

Hanley opened the scoring barely a minute later as he dummied his way over on the right and Saints could not stop Amone barging under the posts from close range.

Saints were ripped open again as Ricky Leutele broke down the left and Waqa Blake failed to claim Moylan's crossfield kick, allowing McIntosh a simple finish.

Percival's return sparked a brief Saints flurry but Blake spurned a chance on the left and the hosts turned defence into attack at lightning speed to claim a fourth try through O'Donnell.

McIntosh missed his first conversion of the night but, having landed an earlier penalty, his side led 24-0 at the break.

Leigh carried the momentum into the second period and were threatening again when Saints snatched a try back against the run of play.

Harry Robertson created the chance with a break from deep after Leigh spilled possession and his bobbling kick was touched down by Ben Davies.

Yet it was soon apparent that would be no more than consolation as Leutele threatened another for Leigh before Saints lost Jonny Lomax for 10 minutes following a poor challenge on Gareth O'Brien.

Saints appeared to wilt completely as Charnley and Lam burst through for further scores and Moylan finished off another attack. Charnley had the final word in the last minute.