LEIGH East were snapped back to reality through a close loss at Saddleworth Rangers in a game where there were chances for both teams to win.

In the end, Rangers came out on top 30-28.

East went in front after three minutes when good hands released Chris Dootson. Adam Holland missed the goal.

With East conceding penalty after penalty, Saddleworth capitalised when late footwork from prop Gareth Morgan saw him score a Ben Whitehead converted try after 12 minutes.

Five minutes later, full back Ethan Langhorn burst over at the side of the posts and Whitehead was on target again for the hosts to lead 12-4.

Watene then scored a wonderful solo effort for East as he chased down his own kick and Holland goaled.

Saddleworth hit back with a lovely try asMatt Fogerty handed on to James Whalley in the corner. Whitehead again goaled to make it 18-10 in the hosts' favour.

But Leigh struck twice before half time to take a narrow lead.

First Lee Rowley pounced on a Holland kick before a scrum play got Dootson over on the overlap for his seventh try in five first-team games.

Saddleworth made the most of a slow start to the new half by East when Fogerty bowled over the line.

Tyron Mafi was penalised five minutes later for lying on and Whitehead nudged over the penalty from 25 metres.

Rangers struck again when Josh Bradbury chipped into space following a good run by Whitehead. Gavin Dodd followed up to sail beyond a despairing tackle. Whitehead added his fifth goal with the hosts holding a 30-22 advantage heading into the final 25 minutes.

Although East had chances to win,  they could not convert anything to points until five minutes from the end when prolific hooker Andrew Ball slid through from close range and Holland goaled.