LEIGH are playing Russian roulette with their Super League future after the most disappointing 80 minutes of their undistinguished Middle 8s campaign so far losing 34-12.

Automatic promotion to the top flight has gone with the only route left open a possible shot at the winner takes all Million Pound game.

But even that option maybe stripped away if Paul Rowley's side can't lift them from their recent malaise to beat Bradford at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday.

Defeat against the Bulls and victory for Wakefield over Halifax on the same day will guarantee Leigh are playing in the game's second tier in 2016.

And this surprising set-back at the Shay opened the door for Halifax and even bottom of the table Sheffield to believe they can scrape into fourth or fifth spot.

Everything had been set-up in Leigh's favour after the previous day's results which saw Hull KR and Widnes achieve convincing wins over Bradford and Wakefield.

But within 34 minutes against Halifax that extra hope had evaporated as Richard Marshall's West Yorkshire outfit stunned their visitors with a three-try blitz.

Forwards Dane Manning and Ross Divorty crossed for Ste Tyrer converted tries in the opening 15 minutes and Tyrer also landed a penalty to ensure a bright start for the underdogs.

Ex St-Helens youngster Tyrer was the provider for winger James Saltonstall's touch down before landing a superb conversion to make it 20-0 at the break.

Leigh, recalling Gareth Hock following recent knee surgery, badly needed a response at the start of the second period. And having fought back from 14-6 down when the sides last met back in May, Centurions knew a comeback was possible.

So, there was renewed hope when recalled Adam Higson and Fuifui Moimoi went over early on for tries converted by Martyn Ridyard. However, Higson, was concussed in the act of scoring and is doubtful to face the Bulls.

A third try would really have left 'Fax rocking. Instead, the home team responded admirably to register the remaining 14 points of the game through Scott Murrell and Tyrer who finished with 18 points from a try and seven goals.

"There's still a chance for that Million Pound game ," insisted Rowley. "But there were some good results for us (on Saturday) which is the most disappointing thing.

"It wasn't a lack of effort. I thought our skill level was poor, our game management was poor and we didn't show up in our execution and skill level."

*Holders Leigh's Reserves also suffered a day to forget, suffering late agony in their Championship Grand Final against Dewsbury and going down 30-28.

Halifax: Johnston; Eccleston, Heaton, Tyrer, Saltonstall; C. Robinson, Murrell; Cahalane, Maneely, Ambler, Divorty, Manning, Fairbank.

Replacements: Tangata, Kaye, Bracek, Moore.

Leigh: McNally; Pownall, Higson, Armstrong, Kay; Ridyard, Brierley; Moimoi, Beswick, Acton, Dixon, Hock, Emmitt.

Replacements: Higham, Wilkes, Spencer, Aspinwall.

Referee: Chris Kendall

Attendance: 3,010