Leigh Centurions gave Warrington Wolves one heck of a battle before finally bowing out of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
The multi-skilled, big money signings of the Super League elite were never allowed to get fully in their side by a dogged and determined Leigh side that scrambled as if their Super League application was dependent on them denying their big money earning opponents a score, and although they never in truth looked like grabbing a win, they did more than enough to let the Wolves know they had been in a battle.
Understandably Leigh got a standing ovation when they left the field for their gallant effort, but if they had been able to take their chances at the start of the second period when they dominated play, then they may well have come away with the only shock result of the fourth round.
But it was not to be, and caretaker coach, Paul Rowley was left proud, bowed but unbroken after his side's cup exit.
Leigh's inspiration came from half back Ian Watson, desperately defending full back Dennis Moran and tireless forwards Lee Doran, Mike Wainwright (against his former club) and Dave McConnell, with excellent supporting roles form the likes of Mike Morrison, Gareth Price , James Taylor and Andy Hobson.
But in the end it was Warrington's old master Lee Brier who had the craft and guile to unlock the Leigh defence, whilst the drive of Louis and Vinnie Anderson plus Ben Westwood always posed a threat.
It was Briers who created the first Wolves try after eight minutes when breaking through on the right and sending John Clarke haring under the posts for a try that Chris Hicks goaled. Watson managed to haul Clarke down when put away again by Briers, and Martin Gleeson went close , whilst Leigh grew in confidence, halted the unforced errors that had blighted their early sets of six, and put pressure on the visitors line with Moran and Hobson going close.
Dave Alstead superbly denied Aussie Test centre Matt King, after more good work form the Andersons, but the ball was whipped to the left and Monaghan was able to create enough room for Chris Riley to squeeze in at the corner for an ungoaled try.
Doran was denied as he attempted to stretch out to score and lost the ball, minutes later and Warrington showed their finishing skills when a good rive from Andy Bracek enabled Hicks to dive over from dummy half and add the extras for a 16-0 interval lead.
Leigh came out all fired up for the second half and when Doran was denied a score for a forward pass off McConnell, Leigh maintained the pressure until a Watson kick was half stopped by the visitors defence, and the Leigh half back was able to regather and step through a wrong-footed defence to score a try that he goaled.
The Leigh fans were sensing an upset, as the Wolves were forced to drop out from under their own sticks for three successive sets, with the home mascot 'Arty' being summarily dismissed for over enthusiastic celebrations and encroaching the pitch.
But Warrington held out and when they moved down field, Monaghan and Louis Anderson put in quick passes, for Kevin Penny to show his pace with a darting run to score in the corner. Hicks goaling from wide out.
It looked all over when Paul Rauhihi charged through on 73 minutes, but never-say-die Leigh hit back.
Morrison plucked a well-deserved try off a Doran run, and then Adam Rudd plunged in at the corner.
Leigh may have gone out of the Challenge Cup, but they did more than enough to give their fans plenty to cheer and hope for the future.
* Full report & reaction in Wednesday's Leigh Reporter