LEIGH Centurions made it 24 wins on the bounce but only after a frantic finish to a pulsating game against Halifax at Leigh Sports Village.

The Centurions were pushed all the way before a late try by Bob Beswick secured the points.

Both teams paid their respects to former Halifax half-back Danny Jones who passed away last week and it was the away side that struck first when Martyn Ridyard spilled a pass and Scott Murrell swept over after six minutes.

Steve Tyrer missed the conversion and Leigh hit back quickly.

Spectacular play on the right from Gregg McNally and Jonny Pownall and a long pass left from Martyn Ridyard set up Liam Kay for his 22nd try of the season. Ridyard goaled to hand Leigh a 6-4 lead.

The returning Fuifui Moimoi almost crashed through in the 20th minute and Sam Hopkins, Oliver Wilkes and Andrew Dixon threatened for Centurions.

But despite enjoying a spell of territory, the home side were the next to concede.

A missed chance handed Halifax a scrum 10 metres from their own line and Ben Heaton started and finished a flowing move.

Heaton carried the ball 30 metres through the middle before Ben Johnston kicked for Jamie Saltonstall, who in turn kicked against the grain for Heaton to collect and score when the ball evaded Gregg McNally.

Tyrer goaled and there was good defence from both sides before a late chance in the first half went begging from Kay.

Halifax made a good start to the second half and set up camp in Leigh territory.

Incessant pressure was finally rewarded when Scott Murrell sent the ball to Heaton and he bowled through the Leigh defence for a second try.

Leading 14-6, the visitors looked in good shape.

Ben Reynolds came on to make his debut for Leigh.

He and Ryan Brierley began to change the game with some good passing and kicking.

After forcing a couple of drop-outs, Leigh made their pressure count after 52 minutes when McNally slipped a tackle and then flicked the pass for Greg Worthington to score his second try in two games and Leigh's 100th of the year.

Brierley converted to close the deficit to two points and, on 64 minutes, Goulden followed up a Brierley kick to snare a dramatic try through a posse of players.

The match exploded after almost 70 minutes when Tom Armstrong was sent off for use of the head on Saltonstall.

At the other end a low kick from Reynolds forced an error from the visitors and a mass brawl broke out with referee Matt Thomason reaching for his pocket.

Kurt Haggerty and Mitch Cahalane were both sinbinned for initiating a skirmish that went on for a minute and saw players run in from all angles.

Jamie Acton, Andy Bracek and Tyrer all received their marching orders and the game finished with both sides down to 10 players.

It led to some unconventional defending before Leigh's spirit shone through and Beswick went in for his first try of the year and another Centurion win.

Leigh Centurions: McNally, Pownall, Worthington, Armstrong, Kay; Ridyard, Brierley; Moimoi, Beswick, Acton, Dixon, Haggerty, Barlow. Subs: Reynolds, Wilkes, Hopkins, Goulden.

Referee: Matt Thomason.

Attendance: 3,647.