Leigh East 22 Hull Dockers 28: LEIGH East lost their first home game of the season as they threw away a 2-0 lead in yet another frustrating performance of a frustrating season.

The result pushed newly promoted Hull Dockers two points clear at the top of the table, adversely sending East sliding the other way. Worryingly, East must travel to Oldham St Annes on Saturday where another defeat - and Jim Taylor's men are still to win away this season - would put them just one place above the relegation hot spot.

And there can be no complaints from the East camp. A team that surges 20-0 up and loses does not deserve to win. Equally a team that for most of the game plays predictable one-man rugby, always in the same direction, freezing out match winners of the calibre of Graham and Woods, will always be punished by the likes of Dockers with their handling skills, ability to switch play and team work.

Yet for 15 minutes of this game East were completely brilliant. Woods had kicked them into a 2-0 lead and then Mark Kay, who put in a lot of effort from full back, intercepted almost on his own line and went the length of the field for a superb individual try, goaled by Woods from the touchline.

Eight minutes later substitute Peter Clark - who went on to have a top game for East to take the Man of the Match award - came on for blood-binned Whiteside and scored with his first touch of the ball.

Within three minutes Andrew Gregson had scored a good try in the corner and with Woods, converting both East had a 20-0 lead which suggested that they were home and dry. Who would have though it would be their last say, apart from a second half Woods penalty, as Hull Dockers re-grouped and gained control and by half time, East's 20-0 lead had been turned around into a 20-22 deficit.

Henry found a gap under the posts, then winger Young responded with a try when East were penalised on the line. Outstanding substitute Tom Dusher, playing his first game of the season, scored the first of his two and a clever switch of direction sent Eccles over right on half time. Three goals from Stephenson and a penalty in the second half added the extra points with Dusher's 53rd minute try was the last score of the afternoon.

Hayes, Rowley, Greenough and Clark worked tremendously hard for East but it was all for nothing with the team overall playing below par. For their part Dockers were well served by teenage props Small and Emerson, hooker Adam and outstanding substitute Dusher.