Leigh kept their Betfred Super League top-six hopes alive after beating local rivals Salford 26-0 in a potential play-off decider at Elland Road.

Tries from Edwin Ipape, Umyla Hanley, Zak Hardaker and Ricky Leutele earned Leigh victory as they made it six wins from their last seven games as they closed to within three points of the Red Devils, who occupy sixth spot, with just five matches remaining in the battle to secure a play-off place.

Salford's Ethan Ryan and Brad Singleton were both sin-binned for high tackles in the first half as the Red Devils struggled to make any sort of impact in the game.

John Asiata offloaded for Ipape to bundle over the line from close range for the game's first try with Hardaker adding the extras for a 6-0 Leigh lead.

The Red Devils did not make things easy for themselves when Ryan was sin-binned by referee Liam Moore for a high tackle on Leigh centre Leutele after 11 minutes.

It went from bad to worse for Paul Rowley's side as Singleton was also shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Gareth O'Brien in the 17th minute, temporarily reducing them to 11 men.

Leigh made the two-man advantage count when Hanley brushed off multiple tackles to burst over from halfway with Hardaker adding the extras.

Salford thought they had scored just before the break through Shane Wright but video referee Jack Smith and referee Moore ruled it out after deciding he failed the ground the ball.

Leigh extended their lead after the break with Hardaker sending over a penalty after Oliver Partington was penalised for a late tackle.

O'Brien was denied a try for Leigh after an incredible try-saving tackle from Chris Hankinson saw him drop the ball just short of the line.

Asiata sent Ipape through a huge gap in Salford's defence and his offload to Hardaker saw the full-back run in to effectively put the game to bed at 20-0 with seven minutes remaining.

Leigh wrapped it up when Leutele touched down in the corner and Hardaker's fourth conversion of the afternoon made it 26-0.