MIKE DEVINE'S untimely exit left Leigh Miners in the lurch.

And they unexpectedly crashed out of the Lancashire Cup - beaten 10-8 thanks to a last-gasp try from the underdogs of Higginshaw.

With 15 minutes to go they were holding all the aces and leading 8-2.

Then star scrum-half Devine was sent off for a high tackle. And Miners crumbled to let in two late tries.

Miners got off to a great start, with stand-off Mike Warburton scoring inside five minutes after good work from second-row Gary Grainey.

Higginshaw dug deep and survived some torrid pressure.

The teams traded penalties before a Winston Sarsfield drop goal.

Higginshaw came out in the second half with all guns blazing, testing full-back Peter Sharp with several testing kicks and quality pressure.

Miners drifted further up with a Mike Warburton drop goal before Devine was sent off. And, suddenly, it all changed.

They must now face the backlash of coach Ian Taylor, who said: "We have to get this out of our system quickly.

"I'll expect total commitment to get back on track when we face Mayfield on Friday. There will be changes for the floodlit fixture."

The game kicks off at 7.30pm.

Miners A Beat St Pat's 23-3 with props Simon Wood and Andrew Webster unstoppable and Graham Hindley named MOM. Tries from John Maxwell, Steve Smith, Wood and Alan Coleman.

Miners Alliance beat unbeaten league leaders Widnes St Marie's 30-10. Centre Howard Newton had a barnstorming game, scoring a try and breaking tackles to free the attack.

Fez Farrington and MOM full-back Leigh Lomax grabbed two tries apiece and winger Mick Evans bagged the goals to round off the scoring.

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