LEIGH CENTURIONS 14 WIDNES VIKINGS 34 by Mike Hulme: LEIGH'S chances of surviving for a second season in Super League are looking even grimmer after losing this relegation showdown battle.

The Vikings raced away to their fourth win in five games and opened up a five-point lead over the Centurions who remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Even coach, Darren Abram, now admits that time is running out and Leigh need a miracle.

"Games are slipping away fast," he said. "We did show some commitment and desire in the second half but you can't give teams 16 points start and expect to win.

"We've got two options now; we can either give in and have 80 shoved past us each week or we can stick at it and restore some pride. That's down to the players."

Leigh gave away too many penalties and too much territory in the first half and not surprisingly found themselves 16-0 down at the break.

Aussie stand-off Owen Craigie was a major influence for Widnes and it was his dexterity that paved the way for a Simon Finnigan try after 12 minutes. Steve Myler goaled and added a penalty soon afterwards for yet another Leigh infringement.

Three minutes later John Stankevitch turned a limping Ben Cooper inside out for Craigie to go on and score the first of his hat-trick.

Cooper was replaced not to return and his replacement, Neil Turley, lasted only two minutes before being carried off with a serious facial injury - the result of a high tackle that left Gray Viane and Sala Fa'alongo on report.

As the game threatened to boil over Leigh's James King was also placed on report for allegedly leading with a forearm, Myler landing the penalty for 16-0.

Leigh made a better start to the second half and soon had four points back when John Duffy's long ball gave Mark Leafa the chance to send Steve Maden in out wide.

Maden had another try disallowed for a knock on before Matt Sturm took advantage of a John Wilshere break to a stride in for a six-pointer.

But Leigh's fightback did not last long and Shane Millard squirmed over from close range to effectively seal the game.

Even though Wilshere scored an unconverted try in the corner the points were heading Widnes's way and they wrapped things up with two late tries from Craigie.

Leigh: Wilshere (7); Maden (8), ooper (5), Jones (5), Smyth (7); Kent (6), Duffy (6); Fleary (6), Mears (6), Stapleton (6), McCurrie (6), King (7), Leafa (6). Subs used: Stevens (6), Sturm (7), Marshall (6), Turley (5).

Attendance: 5,170. Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).