Castleford Lock Lane 44 Leigh Miners Rangers 14: LEIGH Miners have left themselves a tough task if they are to win the Arriva Trains Conference Grand Final.

Their shock defeat to already relegated Lock Lane left the Miners anchored in the sixth, and final, play-off place. They now face a daunting away trip to either Skirlaugh or West Hull in the first round of the Elimination Play-offs.

Lock Lane achieved their runaway victory despite playing most of the game with only 12 men after the early dismissal of prop Dave Birdsall for a high tackle. But they didn't let that spoil their day as they raced in for eight tries, including a hat-trick for centre Steve Hall.

The Miners tried to stem the tide with Dave Patterson outstanding but when they trailed 20-2 any hopes of securing fifth spot in the table had all but disappeared.

Paul Couch opened Lock Lane's account after just four minutes before Alan Reddicliffe pulled a penalty back for the Miners.

By half time the Miners were stunned as Hall (2) and Hardy added to Lock Lane's lead.

Lane opened the second half with a try from Andy Tillett and although Patterson, Reddicliffe and Liam McCarthy tried hard to get the Miners back in the game, it wasn't until the hour mark that Reddicliffe and Patterson slipped in for quick tries.

But Lane responded with tries from Gavin Hughes, Hall again and Steve Greatbatch.

Now Miners coach Warren Ayres must lift his team after slipping to a third straight defeat and seen them go from runners-up contenders to a mad scramble for sixth spot.