LEIGH EAST missed out by the width of the post as hopes of matching Featherstone Lions slipped heartbreakingly away.

A solitary goal and almost a full division of the National Conference separated the sides at 26-24.

Three minutes from time John Gunning had the chance to level it. But his potshot hit the upright and bounced clear.

Yet East had more than held their own against one of the division's top sides.

Down by 14 points after 17 minutes, they hit back to square it at the break with tries from Lee Penkywicz and Gary Fletcher plus three Gunning goals.

East then stepped ahead with a Darren Hall try, slicing through from full-back; late on Penkywicz swooped for his second. But Gunning was gunned down.

Paul Hayes and Anthony Gredecki combined for 82 tackles, Gunning had a hand in all four tries, Penkywicz and James Macaree played well, Fletcher was MoM. East have a free date on Saturday, but the Seconds are at home to Mayfield.

East lost 33-4 at Pilkington Recs in the NorthWest Counties. MoM Jason Tunbridge on his debut, backed by Sean Maloney, Gary Hopkins and Bob Hoey. Gareth Reynolds scored the try.

East U10s played well against Halton Hornets (Karl Morris, MoM L Robertson; TTs Iain Jolley, Andrew Keating); U9s beat Haydock Warriors 30-0 (Keiron Williams 3, David Hodgson 2, Matthew Rozman 2, TT Ryan Holcroft, Adam Thomasson, Danny Yarwood, MoM Sam Brown).

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