MICKY Higham and Josh Drinkwater, two players at the opposite end of the spectrum with their Leigh careers, delivered Centurions a priceless, heart-stopping victory over their arch rivals at Bloomfield Road.

Drinkwater’s assist and Higham’s predatory instincts for a try turned a brilliant contest in Leigh’s favour with just three minutes remaining.

It was hard on Bradford who played their part in easily the best game of the Summer Bash weekend.

But it said everything about Leigh’s determination not to give-up on a seemingly lost cause they were able to hit back after Danny Addy’s touch down looked to have given the Bulls victory.

“You have got to be good to win these games and for the main we were good,” said delighted coach Neil Jukes.

“With three minutes to go they showed what they are about. The togetherness, the commitment and the will to keep going with three minutes on the clock just showed what they are about.

“We have to keep going week after week and look to get better. In less than two months’ time we are going to be playing in this type of arena for seven weeks on the trot.”

Higham’s swoop-12 months after marking his second Leigh debut with a Summer Bash touch down-brought-up Centurions’ 13th Kingstone Press Championship win out of 15 games played.

They remain three points clear of second placed London Broncos and nine points clear of fourth placed Bulls.

Higham epitomises Leigh’s will to win while Drinkwater, in his first full start since arriving from Australia, delivered several touches of NRL ability including a first half try.

Leigh, without Championship top points scorer, Martyn Ridyard, made the worst possible start to a game of Super League quality; both sides roared on by their passionate fans.

Bradford, with veteran Richie Mathers at half back and Danny Addy at hooker, led 10-0 after 10 minutes following tries from Danny Williams and Mitch Clark.

Drinkwater’s brilliant long pass picked out winger Liam Kay to get Leigh on the score board six minutes later while Drinkwater touched down for the second time for his new club three minutes from half-time.

Winger Adam Higson dived over early in the second period and Leigh looked in control. Ben Reynolds kicked his second goal of the evening and also landed a penalty to take the leaders 18-10 clear.

But they reckoned without Bradford’s own resolve and Adam O’Brien scooted over from dummy half after 53 minutes only for Addy to miss a sitter of a conversion.

It stayed at 18-14 until Addy caught the Leigh line napping again four minutes from time. Oscar Thomas tagged on the extras and the Bulls scented victory in their nostrils.

Instead, they conceded a penalty 30 metres from their own line. Leigh seized the lifeline and moments later Drinkwater’s grubber kick rolled in goal for Higham to pounce.

Bradford: Clare; Caro, Blythe, Welham, Williams; Thomas; Mathers; Sidlow, Addy; Clark, Olbison, Ferguson, Pitts; subs: O’Brien, Crossley, Mellor, Haggerty.

Tries: Williams (6), Clark (10), O’Brien (53), Addy (76)

Goals: Addy 1, Thomas 1.

Leigh:Smith; Higson, Worthington, Armstrong, Kay; Reynolds, Drinkwater; Hansen, Higham, Weston, Maitua, Whiting, Hock; Subs: Hood, Hopkins, Emmitt, Acton.

Tries: Kay (16), Drinkwater (37), Higson (42), Higham (77).

Goals: Reynolds 4.

Referee: Sam Ansell.

Attendance: 9,521.