Leigh Centurions 36 Sheffield Eagles 20: Sheffield denied bonus point as veteran Paul inspires Centurions

It left coach Mark Aston frustrated. He said: "We should have won. The lads went away from the game plan and took some poor decisions."

The Eagles had been boosted by an early try from Richard Barnett following a passing move involving Craig Cook, Trevor Exton and Menzie Yere.

Leigh, inspired by former Bradford Bulls half-back Robbie Paul, came back with a try from fullback Stuart Donlan with Mick Nanyn adding the goal.

Poor defending handed Paul a try and was followed by touchdowns from Nanyn and Donlan's second with Nanyn kicking the goals.

Leigh were reduced to 12 men when centre Dave Alstead was shown a red card seven minutes from the break for a high tackle on Sam Barlow.

Eagles made the extra man pay as Brendon Lindsay's kick to the corner was palmed down by Ashley Thackeray for Tangi Ropati to touchdown to reduce Leigh's lead to 24-10 at half-time

Fijian international Aaron Groom, returning after injury, gave the Eagles the perfect start to the second half with a 90-metre interception try. Stringer added the goal.

Trevor Exton crashed over to pull the score back to 24-20 but then the Eagles lost their momentum.

Leigh found an extra gear and their 12 men forced the Eagles back. Tries from Dave McConnell and Mattye Blythe, plus Nany kicking his sixth goal, made the game safe for Leigh and the Eagles were denied even a losing bonus point.

Leigh: Donlan; Maden, Blythe, Nanyn, Alstead; Ridyard, Paul; Hill, Duffy, Bibey, Taylor, Goulden, Mitchell. Substitutes: McConnell, Leuluai, Armistead, Emmitt.

Sheffield: Taulapapa, Thackeray, Ropati, Yere, Barnett; Lindsay, McDonald; Howieson, Cook, Stringer; Szostak, Green, Eaton. Substitutes: Groom, Barlow, Hirst, Rowe.

Referee: R Hicks (Oldham).