LEIGH East kept their Division Three play-off hopes alive after claiming a share of the points from their home game against Batley Boys.

It was a performance full of character from the hosts, who took the lead after three minutes when Adam Holland struck a penalty from 25 metres.

The visitors had a couple of tries ruled out and lost influential stand-off, Adam Bingham, after he was felled by one of his own team-mates while trying to effect a tackle. East had their moments in attack before Holland broke and chipped fullback Josh Scrutton. In the process, Scrutton felled Holland and was sent to the sin-bin.

Almost immediately East took advantage when a smart switch right saw outstanding fullback Danny Griffiths find Nathan Gaskell for the centre to dive over. Holland’s conversion made it 8-0.

Early in the second half, it was Batley Boys who did all the running and Owen West crossed wide out. The otherwise impressive Will Ludlow was sin-binned for a tip tackle after 52 minutes for East and it was Batley’s turn to take advantage. Loose forward Aaron James showed some good footwork to get over and prop Matt Sheridan converted to give the visitors the lead.

The hosts went on the attack and equalised after 67 minutes with a penalty goal from Holland after Ellis Noon was tackled in the air. In an attempt to win the game, Batley Boys reintroduced a dazed Bingham who missed two drop goal attempts.

East thought they had won the game when Andrew Ball shot over from dummy half and Holland goaled, but when Batley got the ball back, they pushed forward for West to dive on a pinpoint Bingham kick for his second try. Bingham struck the touchline conversion to level and ensure a 16-all draw.