IT was left to Reni Maitua to play Leigh’s get out of jail card as Bradford suffered the worst case of déjà vu.

Maitua’s try with two minutes remaining tied another close encounter between these Championship rivals before Lee Smith added the winning conversion.

At the Summer Bash in Blackpool, Micky Higham denied the Bulls victory with a late touchdown.

This time Maitua came to the Centurions rescue to leave Neil Jukes’ side one hand on the League Leaders Shield. London Broncos’ 34-6 win at Dewsbury ensured a delay in the coronation of the Kingstone Press Championship winners.

But there are three more chances to wrap-up the prize starting with Halifax at the Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.

In contrast, the Bulls, so close to Super League promotion last season, are now in grave danger of missing out on the Middle 8’s, three points shy of fourth spot.

Not that’s of concern to Leigh who now know 2013 treble winning Leeds Rhinos will be among their opponents as they battle for a place among the game’s elite.

And a match of this intensity can only stand Leigh in good stead for the seven massive tasks ahead of them once the regular season comes to an end later this month.

Bradford seem to save their best for Leigh and this latest clash was no exception, coming back from 14-4 down to lead 20-16.

The Centurions, however, never know when they’re beaten and have produced some great escapes during their 19 game unbeaten Championship run.

There was no hint of the drama to follow in the first 15 minutes as Leigh took control. Full-back Smith finished off good approach from Travis Burns and Josh Drinkwater for the game’s first try.

Smith couldn’t add the extras but was on target when Gareth Hock profited from another valuable contribution from Drinkwater to cross for the Centurions’ second try to make it 10-0.

Bradford, already facing a fourth defeat in seven games, finally came to life and opened their own account with a try from Omari Caro courtesy of Danny Addy’s exquisite pass.

Greg Worthington and Kieran Moss then traded tries while a Smith penalty secured Leigh’s 16-10 interval advantage.

Bulls were far from finished and charged back into contention courtesy of two tries inside five minutes both orchestrated by danger man Addy.

Firstly, he sent in James Clare and then converted Alex Mellor’s try after setting it up with a grubber kick into the in-goal area.

When the sides previously met at Leigh Sports Village, Bradford ran out 32-16 winners to virtually end Leigh’s bid for Super League.

This time Centurions had their revenge with Drinkwater teeing up Maitua for the vital late try and Smith converting.

Match stats:

Leigh: Smith; Higson, Armstrong, Worthington, Kay; Drinkwater, Burns; Moimoi, Higham, Weston, Maitua, Paterson, Hock; substitutes: Ridyard, Hansen, Hopkins, Fash.

Tries: Smith (8), Hock (15), Worthington (26), Maitua (78).

Goals: Smith (3)

Bradford: Moss; Clare, Blythe, Welham, Caro; Addy, Thomas; Kavanagh, Howarth, Sidlow, Philbin, Haggerty, Olbison; substitutes: O’Brien, Pitts, Lauaki, Mellor.

Tries: Caro (19), Moss (34), Clare (51), Mellor (56)

Goals: Addy (2)

Referee: Chris Campbell

Attendance: 5,111