Leigh Centurions 16 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 17

MILLER time left a bitter taste in home mouths after Leigh again failed to open their Middle 8s win account going down 17-16 to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Australian half back Jacob Miller touched down in each half before ex England international, Lee Smith, condemned the Centurions to a third successive defeat with a 68th minute drop goal.

Smith also scored a try and booted two goals after Centurions failed to build on a promising start.

They led 16-6 at one stage but didn’t score again after ex-Wildcats winger Liam Kay crossed for the home team’s typically enterprising third try after 35 minutes.

However, while defeat leaves the previously all-conquering Championship outfit down, they are not out of the race to play Super League in 2016.

They’ve yet to face any of their current second tier rivals and will play Sheffield, Halifax and Bradford before their last game against Widnes Vikings.

But it’s now looking likely Leigh will feature in the much hyped fourth versus fifth £1 million pound clash to reach the top flight.

“We couldn't have given any more,” said Rowley after Wakefield’s smash and grab raid. “I thought we emptied the tank.

“We looked like a good Super League side - I thought we were the best side - but they had a better kicking game and their management of the game was better,” added Rowley.

“But it’s not over and we’re still fighting.”

After three gruelling games Centurions can re-group and re-vitalise during this weekend’s break from league action for the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final. “I think the week off will be good for us.”

Perhaps Leigh sensed it might not be their day when Martyn Ridyard spilled Smith’s kick-off. And the latter finished off early pressure from Bill Tupou’s off-load after just five minutes.

But Leigh, despite being heavily penalized by referee James Child, forced their way back into contention. Fuifui Moimoi bull-dozed over after 13 minutes to atone for a couple of errors before Ryan Brierley and Ridyard combined to put Jonny Pownall over in the corner.

Ridyard smashed a kick down field from in front of his own posts, Kay, who left Wakefield at the end of 2013, outpaced Chris Riley for a spectacular touch down.

It was brilliant stuff but Leigh’s Middle 8s defence hasn’t matched their attacking prowess.

As a result Miller’s nimble feet got him over for a vital away try before the break.

Ex Hull FC playmaker Miller showed even better footwork to fashion his second score eight minutes into the second half. Smith goaled to tie the scores at 16-all.

Michael Sio’s sin-binning for a crusher tackle after 61 minutes could have turned the game Leigh’s way.

Instead, Smith sank a first opportunity at a drop goal and Wakefield’s game management allowed them to see out the last 12 minutes.

Leigh: McNally; Pownall, Worthington, Armstrong, Kay; Ridyard, Brierley; Moimoi, Higham, Emmitt, Haggerty, Dixon, Acton. Substitute: Beswick, Barlow, Spencer, Aspinwall.

Wakefield: L. Smith; Riley, Tupou, Arundel, Lyne; Miller, T. Smith; Scruton, Sio, Anderson, Molloy, Ashurst, Simon. Substitutes: Lauitiiti, Washbrook, Godinet, Mullally.

Referee: James Child

Attendance: 4,376