LEIGH will maintain a diplomatic silence over what they see as a major injustice.

Publicly, they are refusing to comment on the handling of their Divisional Play-Off derby defeat by Swinton. Privately they are seething.

Leigh point the finger of blame squarely at referee Peter Taberner for their controversial 29-17 defeat. The Wigan official made at least four contentious rulings which cost Leigh crucial tries.

Angry Leigh coach Keith Latham, wary of criticism of the referee because of possible RL disciplinary action, made the moot point: "Swinton didn't beat us!"

He added: "People saw what happened out there. The video will make interesting viewing."

Latham was referring to four apparent refereeing errors that all went against his side.

No 1: Gareth Adams spills ball in three-man Leigh tackle. Taberner awards Lions a penalty and Sean Casey goes in for the first try.

No 2: On the stroke of half-time Leigh's David Hill is clearly obstructed as he goes to field a loose ball and Davide Longo nips in to score.

No 3: Gavin Price-Jones appears to take advantage of a play-the-ball offence to dive between the posts.

No 4: Longo collects his second try in injury time from the most blatant of forward passes.

Despite some sensational play from the likes of Tim Street, Alan Hadcroft, Nick Jenkins, Andy Fairclough and Safraz Patel, Leigh couldn't make amends for the errors.

Skipper Street led from the front and give a display that confirms his standing as one of the best props outside Super League.

But, in an uphill battle, Leigh had to make do with the scraps. Paul Daniel grabbed a fine try, Fairclough swept in for a couple; Chris Wilkinson added two goals and John Gunning gunned over a field goal.

LEIGH: O'Loughlin; Ingram, Hadcroft, Hill, Sarsfield; Gunning, Wilkinson; Street, Jenkins, Pucill, Daniel, Nixon, Fairclough. Subs: Patel, Liku, Smith, Miller. Att: 1,048

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