PAUL Rowley believes Leigh Centurions remain the underdogs for their sixth-round Challenge Cup tie at Wakefield Wildcats despite dumping out Salford Red Devils on Saturday.

Centurions battled from behind to see off the Red Devils 22-18 in front of 7,000 jubilant fans at Leigh Sport Village.

After beating the fourth-placed Super League side they were rewarded for their heroics with another match against top tier opposition.

And while Wakefield are bottom after winning just two of their opening 10 Super League games, Leigh's head coach is taking nothing for granted.

"I think it will be really tough," he said.

"We wanted the home draw, but it will be interesting for the neutrals.

"I would expect people will make predictions and probably discredit Wakefield a little.

"There is certainly a lot of pressure from their point of view, but I know a lot about them.

"They are a good side, they will have players coming back and at home they are a very difficult proposition.

"We'll have to be at our best to get over that one, but as always we'll be confident."

The match will be played on Sunday, May 17, and while negotiation were still ongoing when the Leigh Journal went to press, it is likely the tie will be televised live on the BBC.

After stretching their winning run to 21 matches on Saturday, the Kingstone Press Championship leaders are hotly tipped for promotion to the Super League and Rowley admitted they are now ready to make the step up.

"Anyone who doubted and thought it was pie in the sky and we had no chance, it's answered that question," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

"We're capable. Other people know it and we know it."

Leigh return to bread and butter league action this weekend with a home match against Batley Bulldogs.

Rowley added: ""I think people need to recognise the quality in the Championship and we'll have to prepare and focus just as hard to beat Batley away next week.

"Our focus is just to look at our next game.

"We've got some bumps and bruises from our encounter with Salford. That was a physical battle and we'll make some changes.

"(Batley coach) John Kear is a good friend of mine and he always has very highly motivated sides; they follow a clear game plan, he ensures that, and they've proven difficult in the past.

"In fact Batley were the last team to beat us at home. We understand, like every opposition in the Championship, it's going to prove a difficult game."

Meanwhile, Leigh director of rugby Derek Beaumont has been fined £2,000 by the governing body for "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game" following an incident during their Championship match at home to Bradford Bulls in February.

blob Dave Eckersley will be inducted into the Players Association Hall of Fame at Centurions' Players Association dinner at Leigh Miners tomorrow.

Eckersley was a member of the 1971 Wembley team, scoring a try and a drop goal in the final, as Leigh beat hot favourites Leeds 24-7 to go down in club legend.

Further details and tickets for the dinner, priced £25, are available by emailing leighcpa@gmail.com.