LEIGH East missed out on promotion at the final hurdle after succumbing to a second-half fightback by Underbank Rangers.

The home side finished the regular season third in the NCL Division Two, six points and two points better off than their Huddersfield-based opponents.

And after powering into a 22-4 lead at half time it looked like the division's final promotion place would go to form but they were swept aside in the second half to lose 28-24.

After Craig Williams put Underbank ahead with an unconverted try on nine minutes East dominated the remainder of the opening half.

Curtis Littlewood went over on 22 minutes and his try was converted by Adam Holland to put East in the lead.

Sam Grainey extended the hosts' advantage on 31 minutes when he latched on to a kick to score, as Holland again converted.

Holland then got himself on the scoresheet with East's third try on 36 minutes and Littlewood added his second of the game on the stroke of half time.

Underbank threw caution to the wind after the interval and started their comeback with a try from winger Courtney Allette, who took advantage of a terrible bounce following a high kick from Richard Knight.

Holland steadied the ship on 50 minutes after kicking a penalty goal but four minutes later the visitors went over again after Luke Nelmes spied his chance to score and Joel Croker slotted the two extra points.

Nelmes' try brought Underbank to within 10 points with 14 minutes left on the clock.

And with the momentum behind them they ran in a further three tries in a breathtaking finish.

Mitchell Turner's effort was converted by Croker, Nelmes grabbed his second of the game to level the score and Johnathan Tinker grabbed the winner out wide.

There was good news for Leigh East A, though, after they reached the final of the North West Men's League Division Three play-offs with a hard-fought 24-20 victory over Blackpool Scorpions.

The final against Pilkington Recs will take place on Saturday at Widnes Vikings' Select Security Stadium, kick off 12pm. Anyone who is interested in attending should get in touch with the club, which is running a supporters' coach.