Salford Red Devils edge out Leigh Centurions in hard-fought Super League encounter
Last Updated: 14/04/17 5:17pm
Salford recorded their fifth successive Super League win with a hard-fought 12-6 success over Leigh at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Gareth O'Brien took advantage of a slick passing move to score the game's decisive try on 68 minutes, after Salford had been unable to breach some desperate Centurions defence.
The try, along with the conversion from Michael Dobson, proved just enough to keep the Red Devils at the top end of the table and condemned Leigh to their fourth consecutive defeat.
After a tense opening where scoring chances were at a premium, Salford took the lead with a 15th minute penalty from Gareth O'Brien - after Leigh were caught holding down at the tackle.
Leigh had not won a competitive game at Salford since 1983 but they took the lead 11 minutes before half-time.
A kick from Martyn Ridyard into the Salford in-goal area was touched down by centre Mitch Brown at full stretch. Ben Reynolds added the conversion for a 6-2 lead.
With only two minutes of the half remaining, Salford drew level when some quick passing to the right gave centre Kris Welham the opportunity to score. Dobson was unable to add the conversion.
Leigh half-back Reynolds saw a drop goal attempt go wide with moments of the first half remaining.
The home side dominated for much of the second half but were frustrated by a combination of last-ditch Leigh defence and handling errors in the increasingly slippy conditions.
As the game entered the final quarter, it looked like a drop goal might be the only way to settle the game but the decisive breakthrough came for the home side 12 minutes from time after a spell of intense pressure.
The ball was worked right to O'Brien and he cut inside to score what proved to be the match-winning try. Dobson added the goal.
Chances came and went in a frenetic final 10 minutes but Salford held on for the victory.
