Skirlaugh 22 Leigh East 13: SKIRLAUGH became the only side to beat Leigh East twice this season.

And in doing so they secured runner's-up spot for themselves in the Arriva Trains Conference League while East, by virtue of Thornhill's surprise victory at West Hull, have finished a creditable fifth.

Skirlaugh are without question the best footballing side this exciting season has produced and, desparate to secure second position, produced a performance right out of the top drawer.

East may, probably justifiably, claim that certain decisions 'gifted' points to their opponents but the Leigh side had plenty of chances. Finally only nine points separated the two sides and with a little more concentration from East, Humberside may well have had a second shock result.

Although Skirlaugh had the edge on attack, always making more ground than East, their visitors were outstanding on defence and overall little separated two in-form teams, both enjoying long unbeaten runs.

East launched straight into attacking mode and Man of the Match Danny Kilshaw slotted home a drop goal after being given the position by a fine break from Rowson.

Skirlaugh replied with a a try and goal 10 minutes later but the game was still wide open, even when the home side added a converted try and a penalty to make the interval score 14-1. Two minutes into the second half Kilshaw turned in a tackle to score at the corner, a touchline conversion from Woods putting East right back in it.

East kept Skirlaugh on the hop with a sustained attack but after losing possession close to their own line were punished with a try and goal, a penalty goal following to put them 22-7 behind. It says something of East's character that they kept on pushing to the end. And it had to be that man Kilshaw whose superb break set up a try for East's brilliant centre Woods who also kicked the goal.

By finishing fifth East have an away tie at Thornhill in the Top Six Play Offs on Saturday, 2.30 kick off.