Salford City Reds 31 Leigh Centurions 14 by Mike Hulme: BRIDESMAIDS again! Three Grand Finals and three defeats is the sort of record to make the most dyed-in-the-wool Leigh fan weep.

But despite the club's bitter disappointment at again failing in their bid to grab a place in Super League, the Centurions have vowed to be back next year for another crack.

But whether it will be with this same group of players is doubtful.

With only a handful signed up for next season, there again could be wholesale changes in the off-season.

Director of rugby, Alex Murphy, not usually one to pull his punches, said: "The lads have played consistently well for most of the season but when they've come up against Salford, they've just not had the bottle to go on and win a game.

"But we will be back next season for another crack - but we'll be back with a lot of new faces.

"We did some stupid things out there today and I can't explain that.

"We sat down with the players and told them the areas we needed to improve on.

"Perhaps some of those players can't understand what they're being told. If they can't they won't be here next season."

There is no hiding from the fact that Leigh imploded again on the big stage.

Individual errors handed Salford a match-winning 16-0 lead inside the opening quarter and after Leigh had clawed their way back into contention at 16-10, a whole string of penalties gave Chris Charles the chance to keep Salford at arm's length.

Assistant coach Norman Turley admitted: "Yes, we've got to look at our discipline again.

"We had Salford in some bother, but continually gave them good field position by giving penalties away."

None of Leigh's big guns will look back on this game with any satisfaction and for one, winger Leroy Rivett, it could haunt him for the rest of his career.

His errors cost Leigh three tries at crucial points in the game.

His first slip came in only the third minute when he was too casual in chasing back to cover a Gavin Clinch kick to the corner and he was beaten to the ball by Alan Hunte.

The first of Charles' six goals put Leigh 6-0 down.

Two Charles penalties made it 10-0 befort Clinch produced a midfield break to send Cliff Beverley in for another six pointer.

Leigh had a mountain to climb but they did manage to make some inroads with two tries of their own before half time.

John Duffy sent Tommy Martyn across the line, the ball ran loose and Sean Richardson scored.

Just before the break Danny Halliwell collected Neil Turley's flicked pass to cross at the corner.

A third Charles penalty extended Salford's lead after half time and when Clinch kicked high to the corner Hunte outjumped Rivett and was in again.

Steve Blakeley potted a one-pointer and Charles another penalty before Leigh gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a Willie Swann try.

With time quickly running out at Halton Stadium Leigh shot themselves in the foot again when Rivett's wild pass eluded Damian Munro and Stuart Litter accepted the gift to finally put the game beyond any doubt.

Salford (16) 31: Tries: Littler, Hunte 2, Beverley. Goals: Charles 6, Blakeley. Drop Goals: Blakeley.

Leigh (10) 14: Tries: D Halliwell, Richardson, Swann. Goals: Turley.