Leigh 30 Warrington 12.

Warrington old boys Gareth O’Brien and Josh Charnley contributed three of Leigh’s five tries as the Super League leaders were stunned at Leigh Sports Village.

Full-back O’Brien, who started his career at his home town club, notched a try double as the Leopards raced into a 20-12 half-time lead.

And with Leigh needing the insurance of another try in the second period, Charnley obliged with his 15th of the campaign to maintain his leadership of Super League’s try scoring chart.

Ben Reynolds added to four first half goals with a late converted try to secure the points and avenge defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium from earlier in the year.

Warrington failed to score in the second period such was the quality of Leigh’s defence, adding to one of the competition’s most potent attacks.

Adrian Lam’s side’s eighth league win of the season couldn’t lift them from fifth. But they head for Newcastle and Magic Weekend just four points behind their table topping visitors.

Fleetingly, Leigh thought they had registered the game’s first points. But referee Chris Kendall ruled an obstruction as Kai O’Donnell went crashing through.

There was false hope at the other end too. Matt Dufty’s pass picked out Peter Mata’utia before the centre’s eventual pass was spilled by Matty Russell as he dived in at the corner.

But the Leopards did draw first blood in a fast and furious start. A Warrington knock on set-up the position and O’Brien scampered over unopposed in front of the Wire fans who once cheered his name. Reynolds converted.

Charnley dived in for what he hoped was a second home try only for Ricky Leutele’s pass to be adjudged forward.

But there was no holding the Leopards who scored again after Kai O’Donnell and Robbie Mulhern were held up just short.

Switching their point of attack to the Wire left, Reynolds and Hardaker linked up to send in Tom Briscoe.

Reynolds was on target again minutes later to give Leigh a three-score lead. A barge on O’Donnell saw Reynolds land the resulting penalty for a 14-0 score line.

Warrington were feeding off scraps until a brilliant counter attacking try brought them back into contention.

Daryl Clark hared away from halfway, timed his pass to George Williams to perfection and the England skipper raced away giving Stefan Ratchford a routine conversion.

To maximise their best period of the game Wire introduced Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson while Leigh lad Frankie Halton came on for his Leopards debut.

Instead, Leigh turned the screw still further helped by Riley Dean failing to find touch with a midfield penalty in home territory.

Leigh ran the ball back with O’Brien grabbing his second try made in its entirety by Edwin Ipape’s stunning line break. Reynolds made it four from four and Leigh led 20-6 in sight of the break.

Warrington, however, aren’t top without reason and Joe Philbin crashed over just before the interval with Ratchford improving.

The second half was far more attritional with Warrington bossing possession but struggling to breach the Leigh line for a third time.

Tempers though were flaring, and several flashpoints saw referee Kendall delivering lectures to respective captains, Asiata and Ratchford.

Leigh’s superb defensive effort was rewarded when the home side sent the sold-out North Stand into raptures with Charnley and Reynolds touching down in the final quarter.

Teams: Leigh: O’Brien, Briscoe, Hardaker, Leutele, Charnley; Reynolds, Lam; Amone, Ipape, Mulhern, Holmes; O’Donnell, Asiata; substitutes: Mellor, Davis, Seumanufagai, Halton.

Tries: O’Brien (7 and 34), Briscoe (20), Charnley (66), Reynolds (77) Goals: Reynolds 5/6 Warrington: Dufty; Russell, Mata’utia, Ratchford, Ashton; Williams, Dean; Harrison, Walker, Vaughan, Currie, McGuire, Clark; substitutes-kasiano, Philbin, Minikin, Dudson.

Tries: Williams (27) Philbin (39).

Goals: Ratchford 2/2.

Referee: Chris Kendall.

Half-time: 20-12.

Attendance: 8,120.