Leigh scored five tries but Widnes ran out winners to ease their relegation worries and leave the Centurions searching for their first win.

Adam Hughes and Aaron Moule went over for Widnes early on but Leigh replied with tries by Ian Knott and John Wilshere in a frantic opening period.

Widnes added to their lead either side of half-time before Mark Leafa's score gave Leigh a fighting chance.

But Paul Crook's late one-pointer pushed Widnes just beyond their grasp.

Afterwards, Widnes coach Frank Endacott admitted his side had been outplayed at times.

"There were times when I thought Leigh played better football but it's about the result and we got it," he said.

"Paul Crook had a very good game but Terry O'Connor was my player of the match.

"An ugly win is better than a pretty loss but we'll need to improve if we are to beat Warrington on Tuesday."

Leigh coach Darren Abram admitted luck seemed to be going against his team after seeing his side go down to yet another defeat.

"I thought we played a lot of nice rugby, but Widnes defended well and cut some of our options," he said.

"Everything is being thrown at us right from the start. We're still learning.

"It's a shame that we had only 16 weeks to prepare for this competition and only five weeks to get a team together and that is the difference."

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Widnes: Rowlands, Emelio, Connolly, Moule, Hughes, Crook, Hulse, O'Connor, Smith, O'Neill, Stankevitch, Frame, Finnigan.

Replacements: Whitaker, Fa-alogo, Mills, Ballard.

Leigh: Turley, Maden, Jackson, Cooper, Wilshere, Kent, Duffy, Stapleton, Rowley, Fleary, Leafa, Knott, Wilkes.

Replacements: Sturm, Moore, Govin, McCurrie.

Referee: Ashley Klein (London)