By Matt Lawton
February 28 2003

A controversial late penalty from Salford substitute Ian Marsh grabbed a point for the visiting City Reds in front of a bumper crowd at Hilton Park in the Arriva Cup. Salford, relegated from Super League only last season, arrived at Hilton Park full of confidence after a decent start to their first season back in the lower divisions. This confidence was obvious to all when they took the lead after barely a couple of minutes. Roly-poly prop forward Neil Baines went in at the Glebe Street End after a period of sustained pressure following Sonny Nickle's knock on straight from the kick off.

Many teams, possibly including Leigh teams of the recent past, would have rolled over to allow Salford take control but the Centurions fought back admirably. After a short period of pressure close to the Salford line, they pulled level when "Mr Consistent" Adam Bristow went over to send Hilton Park wild. Leigh then took the lead shortly after when the impressive former Dewsbury and Widnes second rower Sean Richardson smashed his way through the City Reds defence to put Leigh into a deserved lead. That, coupled with a couple of John Duffy conversions, put Leigh in to an impressive 12-4 half time lead which certainly satisfied the locals.

Leigh came out for the second half with much the same determined and extended their lead when scrum half for the day John Duffy made his way over the line against his former club. He then converted his own try to put Leigh into a commanding 18-4 lead halfway through the second half.

It looked as though Leigh would then cruise on to a comfortable, if unexpected, victory but as regulars on the Hilton Park terraces will testify, it is never that simple with Leigh.

Salford fought their way back with a try from Stuart Littler. Duffy then slotted over a penalty in front of the posts to put Leigh in to a 20-12 lead. Littler then scored again and the try was then converted by Marsh to bring Salford closer who looked like they might even snatch a victory with the momentum behind them. However, the Leigh defence stood firm until a silly penalty was given away which was slotted over by Marsh to give Salford a point.

It was an enjoyably tense afternoon in front of a big crowd which created a great atmosphere for what is supposed to be a 'meaningless' competition. The Leigh supporters before this game, with memories of maulings against Huddersfield last season fresh in their mind, would have probably taken a draw as a good result but as the Leythers made their way away from Hilton Park after the game the talk was of missed opportunities and how Leigh let it slip towards the end. Despite this, a season of performances like today should certainly see Leigh challenging yet again for a place in Super League.