LEIGH EAST 28, LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 34: Leigh Miners Rangers remain on course for a National Conference and National Cup double but only after they'd fought off a sensational rally from their cross-town neighbours.

With only 20 minutes left, relegation-threatened East were 30-12 down and on the verge of a heavy defeat. But they came roaring back and were slightly unlucky not to grab a draw.

Full-back Mark Kay was the catalyst for thr fightback, racing over for two tries in a revival sparked by the impressive Danny Kilshaw.

Centre John Woods added each goal to reduce the deficit to just six points but despite sustained pressure they couldn't come up with an important third score.

The Miners had taken the lead after only five minutes with Shaun Daley crossing before Craig Graham replied with a try in the corner that Woods converted.

The Miners took a grip on the game when second row and man of the match Dave Patterson, loose forward Tommy Goulden and hooker Jimmy Thompson all scored tries. Alan Reddicliffe added a couple of conversions.

Woods replied with a solo score from 50 metres and aded the conversion but the Miners eased clear again early in the second half with tries from Mark Jones, Patterson and Reddicliffe who added one goal.

East's only response during the blitz was a Lee Wingfield try. The Miners were certainly hanging on at the end and if East can reproduce the form they showed late in the game, they might still be successful in their relegation fight.