CRISIS what crisis? Leigh celebrated a rare drama free week off the pitch with a first away triumph of the campaign to move into the Kingstone Press Championship top four.

This fourth win of the year against last season’s Middle 8 conquerors wasn’t picture perfect.

And coach Neil Jukes has still to achieve a full 80-minute performance from his squad.

However, when the chips were down the Centurions responded to the challenge. Perhaps full-time fitness paid its part as the visitors came from 12-4 down with 20 minutes remaining to score three converted tries to ensure victory.

And what wouldn’t Leigh have given for a similar outcome rather than slumping to a 34-12 defeat in last season’s Super League qualifiers at the Shay.

Instead, Leigh’s success lifted them into third spot behind surprise top two, London Broncos and Batley Bulldogs. Jukes’ men are now one place ahead of Bradford Bulls, the Odsal side still with the division’s only unbeaten record with two games ending in draws.

Jukes’ latest selection included a surprise at half-back where 22-year-old Ben Reynolds was recalled from a season long loan at Dewsbury Rams to partner Martyn Ridyard.

Lee Smith returned following the bicep injury that kept him out of the previous week’s win over Sheffield Eagles, Liam Kay also took his place on the wing while Centurions’ latest acquisition, hooker Liam Hood, was named among the substitutes.

Given this latest selection re-shuffle it was hardly surprising Leigh trailed at half-time. Despite the absence of crocked captain, Scott Murrell, ‘Fax notched the only points of the opening period through Tommy Saxton’s try and Ste Tyrer’s conversion.

Leigh stayed pointless until Reni Maitua dived over seven minutes after the re-start. As the possible spark to a comeback it proved a temporary false dawn.

Adam Tangata’s 53rd minute touch down and Tyrer’s second goal increased the Shay outfit’s lead to 12-4.

But that was as bad as it got for Leigh. Full-back Smith began the fight back on the hour with a try improved by Ridyard.

Four minutes later Gareth Hock took Reynolds’ pass to score despite the presence of seemingly sufficient home defenders.

Ridyard goaled and converted again when skipper Micky Higham sealed victory seven minutes from time. The stand-off also kicked a penalty as extra insurance but two six-point tries could still have handed Richard Marshall’s men a draw.

Connor Robinson’s touch down and Tyrer’s third goal kept the match in the melting pot only for Ridyard to knock over another penalty.

Hock-for a second successive week- and Dale Manning were sin binned for scuffling by referee Richard Silverwood but not sufficiently serious to attract any subsequent disciplinary action.

Leigh’s win was an ideal way to sign off league action for a fortnight as this weekend they entertain struggling Championship rivals, Workington Town, in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, kick-off 6pm.

Halifax: Greenwood; Saxton, Heaton, Tyrer, Saltonstall; Moore, Johnston; Moore, Maneely, Cahalane, Tangata, Manning, A Robinson; subs: Ambler, C Robinson, Bennion, Bracek.

Tries: Saxton (20), Tangata (62), C Robinson (77)

Goals: Tyrer (3)

Leigh: Smith; Pownall, Whiting, Higson, Kay; Ridyard, Reynolds; Moimoi, Higham, Weston, Hansen, Hock, Paterson; subs: Hood, Hopkins, Maitua, Emmitt.

Tries: Maitua (46), Smith (60), Hock (63), Higham (73)

Goals: Ridyard (5)

Referee: Richard Silverwood. Attendance: 2706