Leigh Centurions 14 Hull 21 by Mike Hulme: LEIGH Centurions are ready to make the big step up into Super League.

It's just not those at Hilton Park who believe that Leigh can hack it with the best - even Shaun McRae reckons they are ready to move onwards and upwards.

The Hull boss was clearly relieved as his side just managed to grind out an unconvincing victory over their National League opponents yesterday to edge into the fifth round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.

"We knew it was going to be tough," McRae admitted. "But I don't think anyone thought it would be as tough as this.

"Leigh look like a side capable of making the next big step and on this evidence they are capable of doing it. I'm just happy to have got out with a win."

Opposite number Darren Abram was bitterly disappointed that Leigh had not quite managed to claim a Super League scalp.

"I thought we outplayed them for long periods and if referee Steve Ganson had allowed Dave McConnell's late try instead of coming up with a forward pass, I think we'd have gone on and done them.

"Nevertheless the whole town can be proud of their team's efforts today."

Leigh could not have wished for a better start. They rocked Hull to the core by taking a 10-0 lead inside 19 minutes thanks to three Neil Turley penalties and an opportunist try from Tommy Martyn.

But Leigh could not quite keep it going and two Hull subs, Kirk Yeaman and Gareth Carvell, both crossed for tries towards the end of the half to level the scores at 10-10 at the break.

Leigh lost their momentum at the start of the second-half when Paul Rowley was sin-binned and Martyn was led off with an eye injury. Hull spied their chance and their best move of the game brought a try in the corner for Colin Best and the lead for the first time.

The game seemed to be slipping away from Leigh when ex-Wigan full-back Shaun Briscoe managed to wriggle over at the foot of the posts and Paul Cooke converted to put Hull 20-10 up.

But they managed to turn the tide when Briscoe was sin-binned and Paul McNicholas sent off for a high tackle. Leigh had Hull on the ropes with skipper Ian Knott driving in for a try and McConnell having a score disallowed.

A rare Hull breakaway five minutes from time set up the position for Richard Whiting to drop a crucial field goal.