IT may have been another defeat for Leigh East but the team appear to be turning the corner.

East travelled to Cumbria and welcomed Adam Holland back to the fold following his suspension. It was a move that certainly brought the best this season out of the side.

In saying that, it looked like being a long afternoon when Millom touched down three times in the opening 20 minutes.

Ethan Kelly , Jordan Moyes and Ricky Donaghue all scored in the first quarter with Lee Postlethwaite on target with three goals to make it 18-0.

Faced with two choices, East roared back at their hosts and Josh Adudwuuma was halted five metres short of the line following a great ball from Holland. Brave running from Jay Yarwood, Phil Bickerstaff and Ryan Holcroft then set the position for East's first try before Bishop linked with Pat Rainford and Holland supported to cross at the side of the posts after 29 minutes. Tom Worthington converted and East claimed back-to-back tries. Nathan Gaskell was hauled down five metres out following solid build up before Rainford dummied right, dabbed forward, and won the race to the touchdown. Although there was no goal, East were back in the contest.

Seconds from the break, Millom won a penalty within range and Postlethwaite stepped up goal and ensure the hosts went in with a 20-10 lead.

The second half saw a real arm wrestle develop with some high intensity defence from both sides. East began to see more of the ball and with it controlled territory. Adudwumma had a couple of half chances amid a series of strong runs and the battling qualities of the East pack were there for all to admire.

Finally the home line cracked after 58 minutes when Rainford slipped a tackle and skipped 15 metres before handing on to Chris Penn who raced over for the try. Worthington goaled and Leigh East then thought they had blown the game wide open minutes later when Rainford scampered clear again only for his pass to Holland be ruled forward. It was a cruel blow and the visitors defence cracked once more , six minutes from time when prop Gareth Heasley made the game safe with a bustling effort.