KIERON Purtill apologised to owner Derek Beaumont and the fans after Leigh’s Betfred Championship season lurched to a new low at the Shay.

For a fourth successive game-and fifth in total-the full timers slumped to defeat.

Despite a second half recovery the contest was over by the interval as Richard Marshall’s men built up an unassailable 28-0 lead ,helped by a hat-trick in 26 minutes from second row Shane Grady.

Leigh, who gave a debut to on loan Jordan Lilley, responded in the second period, grabbing three tries in 18 minutes.

However, the visitors could only get within 10 points at the height of their comeback.

Fax boss Marshall claimed Leigh would still finish in the top four at the end of the regular season.

That though is little consolation for caretaker boss Purtill as he awaits his first win since replacing Neil Jukes in the top job.

“It’s not good enough for this club,” he said after this tame surrender.

“Apologies to Derek Beaumont-he has invested a lot in this club and the fans who follow us week in, week out and back us up.

“That performance and the last few performances haven’t been good enough.

“There are a lot of people who care about the club and are working hard but we are not turning it round on the field.

“Ultimately that is the area where you get judged and it is not good enough.

“Our discipline has been an issue as a club and certainly this year it is costing us.

“I spoke last week about defensive steel but we are putting energy into the wrong areas.

“We need to keep working hard in training and get some combinations going and start solving things together as a group.”

Leigh finished on the end of 10-5 penalty count but more crucially a 7-3 try deficit.

To add to the unhappy afternoon Centurions lost winger Matty Dawson-Jones to the sin bin while Jamie Acton was placed on report by referee, Gareth Hewer, for a late tackle in the first half.

Grady opened the scoring after 12 minutes, adding further efforts after 30 and 38 minutes. Brandon Moore and Ben Heaton also joined in the points spree while Ste Tyrer kicked four goals.

Leigh were brighter in the second half, helped by the finishing skills of full-back Craig Hall.

Centurions have form for great escapes at the Shay, recovering from 24-6 down in 2014 to win 36-29.

History, however, wasn’t about to repeat itself. Ste Tyrer touched down twice in the final quarter to finish the game with 18 points while Rhys Evans scored Leigh’s third try.

Lilley marked his first appearance by landing three goals.

Halifax: Woodburn-Hall; Saltonstall, Heaton, Tyrer, Sharp; Morrell, Johnston; Springer, Kaye, Murray, Grix, Grady, Fairbank; substitutes: Moore, Barber, Jones, Maher.

Tries: Grady (12, 30, 39), Moore (26), Heaton (34), Tyrer (60,72).

Goals: Tyrer (5).

Leigh: Hall; Dawson-Jones, Crooks, Mata’utia, Evans; Hutchison, Lilley; Richards, Higham, Hansen, Larroyer, B Thompson, J Thompson; substitutes: Hood, Acton, Patrick, Lovett.

Tries: Hall (47, 57), Evans (65).

Goals: Lilley (3).

Half-time: 28-0.

Referee: Gareth Hewer.

Attendance: 2119.