Not good enough

The Leigh coach made no apologies as his ripped into his players, saying: "We were spanked and we had a lot to do with it.

"And we've not got long to get it right. If we don't get it right, then we will come up with the same result."

The fifth instalment of what could be a seven-game saga between the two sides, saw Salford win for a fourth time and as good as tie up the National League One Minor Premiership with just one round of matches to play.

Salford's comprehensive victory laid down a significant marker ahead of the play-offs and will have created considerable doubt in Leigh minds.

Ominously, Salford coach Karl Harrison believes his side can improve even further.

"I was happy with the result, not the performance," he said.

"We were far too loose with the ball and gave them two tries on a plate. I thought our key players were average today and overall we only played to something like 60 per cent of our capabilities."

As Terzis concedes, unless Leigh can raise their standards when up against Salford, it could be another season as the bridesmaids.

The Reds undoubtedly now have the psychological edge going into the business end of the season and they go into the play-offs as clear favourites to regain their Super League place.

Terzis, who already knows he won't be coaching at Leigh next season unless he gets his team into Super League, admitted his side never gave themselves a chance.

He said: "Our kick-chase wasn't great; we didn't execute when we were down their end of the field and we turned over some cheap ball. The scoreboard reflected the game - they were 20 points better than us."

Roared on by a tremendous travelling support that would put most Super League clubs to shame, Leigh made a confident start with front rowers Dave Bradbury and Sonny Nickle leading the way but their opening try did came against the run of play.

After seven minutes of relentless Salford pressure Dale Cardoza intercepted Steve Blakeley's wide pass just short of his own line and went on to win a 90-metre footrace to put the Centurions 4-0 ahead.

Reds' front rower Andy Coley, who was eventually to tip the game decisively Salford's way in the second half, created the first of a hat-trick of assists when he put Cliff Beverley through a hole and ex-Leyther Simon Baldwin went under the posts unopposed. Blakeley's conversion put the Reds ahead.

Leigh responded with an equally impressively crafted try of their own. Tommy Martyn freed his hands in a double tackle to release Neil Turley and he sent supporting skipper Adam Bristow under the posts. Turley's conversion gave Leigh a 10-6 lead.

The defining few minutes came early in the second quarter when a disputed Salford try kicked Leigh's legs from underneath them. A borderline flat pass from Blakeley sent Paul Highton diving in for a six-pointer; Leigh's protests were long and loud but the try stood and Turley was off to the sin-bin after speaking out of turn to referee Colin Morris.

Leigh's numerical disadvantage completely went against them as Salford open up a decisive lead with two quick tries.

Gavin Clinch, who was generally marked out of the game, clipped a perfectly-weighted kick to the right wing where Wes Davies collected in full stride and sent Stuart Litter in with an inside pass. Moments later Highton pushed off some weak to usher Beverley through to the posts. Two more goals from Blakeley put the Reds in the clear at 24-10.

By the interval Leigh had thrown themselves a lifeline by closing the gap to just six points. Top try scorer Damian Munro nipped in to intercept Beverley's short pass to sprint away to the posts. Turley converted and landed a 40th minute penalty - his 100th place goal of the season - to put Leigh back within striking distance.

Crucially, Salford scored first after the break - another soft one from Leigh's perspective. Cardoza's fumble 20 metres out coughed up possession again and Blakeley sent Malcolm Alker over. Blakeley converted and Leigh were down 30-18.

Leigh did respond after a rare Salford error, Neil Baynes losing the ball deep in his own half and Pat Weisner, Leigh's most inventive player, pinned his ear back and forced his way over out wide. Turley's touchline conversion was their last contribution.

Salford were totally dominant in the last quarter with Coley in particular enhancing his already considerable reputation. He broke one tackle out wide, found Andy Kirk and had the simple job of supplying an inside ball for Alan Hunte to score.

Just a few minutes later Coley broke on the opposite side of the field to get Littler racing clear for his second of the game.

The game was up for Leigh and in the final six minutes they were punished even further. Hunte kicked a rare penalty from directly in front and in stoppage time Baldwin's long pass sent in Kirk for Salford's eighth try.

SCORERS - Leigh: Tries - Cardoza (8), Bristow (21), Munro (36), Weisner (49). Gls: Turley 4/5.

Salford: Tries - Baldwin (17), P.Highton (26), Littler (28, 70), Beverley (34), Alker (43), Hunte (62), Kirk (80). Gls: Blakeley 6/6, Clinch 0/2, Hunte 1/1.

Salford: Flowers; Davies, Littler, Hunte, Kirk; Beverley, Clinch; Baynes, Alker, Coley, Baldwin, P.Highton, Blakeley. Subs used: Lowe, D.Highton, Moana, Haggerty.

Leigh: Turley; Munro, Cardoza, Halliwell, Hadcroft; Weisner, Martyn; Nickle, Rowley, Bradbury, Richardson, Henare, Bristow. Subs used: Norman, Swann, Duffy, Bibey.

Handling errors: Salford 8, Leigh 10.

Penalties conceded: Salford 4, Leigh 4.

Half time: 18-24.

Referee: Colin Morris (Huddersfield).

Sin-bin: Turley (dissent) 24 mins.

Man

rNOT many will recall this game with fond memories but half-back Pat Weisner did more than most to try and turn the tide.

Magic

rTHE beautifully crafted try for Adam Bristow, started by Tommy Martyn and carried on by Neil Turley. It showed what Leigh are capable of but they need to do it more often in games like this.

Moan

rTHE countless unforced errors, dropped passes and missed tackles. Definitely not recommended against a team of Salford's stature. It made a tough job impossible.