In a game of two distinctly different halves, Leigh couldn't hold on to the 22-16 interval lead that they had carved out for themselves with some granite tough defence and powerhouse running.

They finally succumb to a side that has firmly set its sights on upsetting Salford City Reds' applecart and entering Super League next season as Champions.
Lee Doran and Mike Morrison did particularly well in the pack.

And the likes of Dennis Moran, Ian Watson and Toa Kohe Love were always a threat alongside Ian Mort and Steve Maden.
But at the end of it all coach Neil Kelly may well view this as a game that got away.
I
t was the Crusaders who drew first blood after just five minutes when Neil Budworth, Damien Quinn and Mark Lennon combined to put Mark Dalle Cort in the corner for a try that Lennon could not goal.
Paul Ballard looked to have grabbed a second try straight from kick-off after he dived on to a perfect Quinn grubber, but the ball just beat him over the dead ball line.

Moran put a kick to the corner and Maden was on hand to scoop up the ball and score to level, with Mort missing the conversion.
Leigh hit the front when Doran snatched up a loose ball after Aled James dropped the ball under pressure from Moran.
James was knocked out by Moran's tackle but Mort was happy to add the extras, and then Maden claimed his second try when catching Moran's chip to the corner as the visitors dominated.

The Crusaders struck back when Darren Mapp slipped through the Leigh defence and Lennon goaled, before Doran claimed his second try despite the Crusaders claiming he had spilled the ball.
But then Tony Duggan scored and Lennon goaled to close the gap to 22-16 at the break.
In the second half the Crusaders came out of the traps all fired up and a second Duggan try was goaled by Lennon to level followed by tries from Ballard, James and Lennon who kicked two conversions and a penalty.
Alstead grabbed a 71st minute touchdown for Mort to again goal but the gap was just too great and Leigh had to settle for that bonus point.

Leigh Centurions: Mort; Alstead, Roberts, Kohe-Love, Maden; Moran, Watson; Morrison, McConnell, Doran, Higson, Taylor, Smith; subs (all used): Thomas, Rudd, C Hill, Price.

Tries: Maden (13, 18), Doran (16, 33), Alstead (71).
Goals: Mort 4/5.
Half-time:16-22.
Referee: Jamie Leahy.
Attendance: 1,359