LEIGH Miners Rangers, beaten heavily for a second successive week on their own ground, have lost top spot in the National Conference Premier Division.

The Miners have been overhauled, on points difference by Skirlaugh, while West Hull are also on 32 points.

This was Leigh's first home leage defeat for over a year and chalked up East Hull's double over the Miners this season.

After a strong opening, the Miners were left to regret not breaking the visitor's defence, and paid the price when Michael Docherty kicked East's into the lead with a 10th minute penalty.

Having made the breakthrough, Hull went on to dominate the first half. Jason Abdul crossed in the corner and Docherty landed another penalty.

The killer blow came a couple of minutes from half time. The Miners knocked the ball loose on a Hull attack only for Abdul to re-gather and score his second try. A superb touchline conversion put East's 14-0 ahead at the break.

The Miners had a few chances at the start of the second half, most notably when Tom Draper just failed to gather Garry Fitzmartin's kick through. But despite the promptings of Dean Balmer, John Woods and Mark Jones the home side never really looked like scoring.

Docherty landed a long range penalty to nudge East further ahead and when Martin Johnson backed up Mike McGowan's break to score another converted try, it was game over for the Miners.

East comfortably played out the final stages and completed matters when Johnson produced a superb pass for substitute Mike Halenby to go in for their third try and blow the title race wide open.

Leigh Miners Rangers 0 East Hull 26