LEIGH Leopards head coach Adrian Lam expressed his delight after tries from Josh Charnley, Gareth O'Brien and Edwin Ipape saw off Salford to reach the semi-final.
The Leopards, who have now won 10 of their last 12 games, are now 80 minutes from Old Trafford – but a trip to Wigan or Hull KR awaits.
Lam said: "It's right up there, in terms of progressing from where we were last year, because at some stage of the season it didn't look like it was going to happen.
"We've got a top-four finish now so at least we can be proud of that. I still can't get my head around what we did, it was just inspirational.
“I've been around rugby a long time but it was an unbelievable atmosphere to be a part of – and the winning just tops it off.
“There’s nothing better in rugby league than a British game were both ends are singing and it never ends for 80 minutes.”
Frankie Halton left early with a head knock, followed by Josh Charnley being taken off on a stretcher the Leopards' win came at a price.
It was certainly a bruising game with both sides going toe-to-toe from the off.
“We knew with them having last week off it would be a frenetic start, but didn’t think it would go on so long.
“Salford were outstanding in the first 40, but the dressing room was really positive. It is part of the DNA of who we are – it was just about staying composed.”
There were some special moments in the game, and Lam picked out the pass from man of the match Edwin Ipape for Gareth O’Brien’s try.
“Matt Moylan had an outstanding game, but Edwin Ipape was immense.
“That pass to Gaz was a left to right 15 metre pass in front of another player.
“The skill involved in that was incredible. There were some big moments that we won tonight,” Lam said.
The win continues the team’s remarkable transformation after the injury-hit side suffered a tough start.
“It has been inspirational the way the team has made a commitment half way through the season and it just turned like that.
“It was difficult at the start of the season when we were one win out of nine – but I have learned a lot as coach to have the trust and belief of the players and just stuck to the process.
“We have got a good forward pack on our day – as good as any in the competition. And we have got some X-factor there too to break the game open so we believe we can win any game that we are in.”
Salford boss Paul Rowley struggled to hide his disappointment after his side came up short in front of their biggest home crowd of the Super League era.
Salford led after an attritional first period through a Marc Sneyd penalty but failed to puncture the resolute visitors' defence until the dying seconds when Ethan Ryan crossed for a try that proved too little too late to extend his own side's campaign.
And Rowley said he would take little comfort from another excellent season for his side, who juggled one of the lowest budgets in the top flight to once again exceed expectations with a fourth-place finish.
"It's been a good season for the club but the players are disappointed that they are not carrying on the journey," said Rowley.
"Obviously when that time comes in a couple of weeks then we've over-achieved. It's been a successful year in that respect, but success to me is winning trophies.
"It didn't go our way but credit to Leigh. Both teams played typical knockout rugby league, it was a tough encounter based on defences, and I wish them all the best."
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