LEIGH maintained their Betfred Super League play-off charge with a comprehensive 34-12 win against Castleford at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Visiting skipper Tom Amone touched down twice and Leigh ran in four more tries to climb up to fourth in the table after a ninth win in their last 10 matches.

It was a miserable send-off for Castleford's co-captain Paul McShane in his final home game for the club after he announced this week that he will retire at the end of the season.

(Image: Matt West/SWpix.com)

Leigh winger Josh Charnley marked his 300th Super League appearance with a try while second-row Kai O'Donnell, stand-off Gareth O'Brien and centre Ricky Leutele also went over. Full-back Matt Moylan landed five out of six conversion attempts.

Castleford scored through centre Corey Hall's first-half effort and stand-off Rowan Milnes, who converted both tries, but the Yorkshire club were a clear second best and slipped to their 17th league defeat of the season.

O'Donnell scythed through Castleford's defence on halfway and around flailing full-back Tex Hoy for the visitors' brilliant opening try in the sixth minute, converted by Moylan.

Leigh doubled their lead eight minutes later when Charnley stepped off his wing to dart over near the posts for his side's second converted touchdown, which put them 12-0 ahead.

Tigers lifted the home crowd through Hall's try, after he raced on to Milnes' little kick ahead, and the latter added the extras to reduce the deficit.

But Leigh's response was immediate when prop Amona cashed in on Muizz Mustapha's error to touch down under the sticks and Moylan landed his third conversion to put his side 18-6 in front at half-time.

(Image: Matt West/SWpix.com)

The visitors looked to have put the game beyond Castleford soon after the restart, with two offloads close to the home try line allowing O'Brien to touch down and increase his side's lead to 22-6.

Moylan missed his conversion attempt, but it took a try-saving tackle from Castleford wing Jason Qareqare to deny Charnley in the corner soon after.

Castleford scrum-half Jenson Windley was sin-binned for a late hit on O'Brien and after Charnley was denied in the corner again, Amone darted over for his second converted try of the match.

Fast hands sent Leutele in for Leigh's sixth try and Moylan added the extras from the touchline to put Leigh 34-6 ahead and out of sight, with Milnes' effort mere consolation.

Since last month's 28-6 defeat at Wigan, Leigh have now won five straight games to surge into play-off contention.

They will close the regular season with home games against high-flying Hull KR next Friday and St Helens on September 20.