WINGER Jonny Pownall was sent-off as Leigh tasted defeat in the Betfred Championship for the first time this season, losing 33-26.

It was very much an ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ performance from John Duffy’s side following the encouragement of an opening day victory over Toulouse Olympique.

“There was an element of us maybe falling in love with ourselves after the win we got and across the board we’ve got to learn from this experience,” said head coach Duffy.

“Our mentality was poor when we went behind and over the full game Halifax played well and got a good result.

“In the first 10-15 minutes we were getting lots of joy and we decided to take our foot off the gas and think it was going to be an easy day and we got burned.”

Pownall received his marching orders from Cumbrian referee Gareth Hewer for dissent after initially seeing yellow for a dust-up with Brandon Moore.

But the 67th minute dismissal didn’t affect the result with Richard Marshall’s men having already scored all their six tries.

Indeed, the 12-men crossed twice after Pownall’s marching orders through brothers Luke and Toby Adamson.

Leigh kicked off buoyed by victory over Toulouse and twice gained a lead after Moore swooped first for the home team.

Andy Thornley and Pownall touched down for tries converted by Martyn Ridyard before Ridyard booted a penalty to put the visitors 14-12 ahead.

Halifax though hit back before the break to lead 18-14 after Ben White followed Ste Tyrer over the whitewash.

Three minutes into the second half Leigh were convinced they deserved at least a penalty for holding back as Thornley just failed to ground in goal. Instead, referee Hewer awarded ‘Fax a 20 metres restart.

To add insult to injustice winger Shaun Robinson struck twice in three minutes to put the Shay side in control.

Ed Barber went in for a sixth Halifax try while White dropped a single pointer to secure the win.

Leigh though weren’t finished as Luke and then Toby Adamson went over for converted tries to delight a strong away following.

“We can’t allow ourselves to get above ourselves because we’ve had a win,” Added Duffy.

“Halifax are a real classy outfit and you can’t have a minute off against any team in the Championship otherwise you will get punished.”

Halifax: Laulu-Togagae; Sharp, Saltonstall, Tyrer, Robinson; Murrell (capt), White; Fleming, Moore, Kavanagh, Larroyer, Barber, Grix;

Substitutes: Morris, Fairbank, Chapman-Smith, Calcott.

Tries: Moore (4), Tyrer (19), White (29), Robinson (55, 57), Barber (63)

Goals: Tyrer (4)

Drop-goal: White (75)

Sin bin: Moore (67)

Leigh:

McNally; Pownall, Costello, Thornley, Marsh; Ridyard, Woods; Douglas, Higham (capt), Brooks, T Adamson, Thornley, L Adamson.

Substitutes: Spencer, Cator, Smith, Ashworth.

Tries: A Thornley (9), Pownall (12), L Adamson (69), T Adamson (79);

Goals: Ridyard (5)

Sin bin and sent off: Pownall (67).

Referee; Gareth Hewer

Attendance: 2,245

Half-time: 18-14