Leigh Miners Rangers 22 Walney Central 14 AFTER their win at Woolston last weekend, Leigh Miners Rangers come back down to earth with a bump as Walney Central came within a whisker of snatching a dramatic victory at Twist Lane.

It must be a matter of perpetual bewilderment to Warren Ayres as to how his charges can perform so convincingly on the road but patchily on their home turf.

But take nothing away from Walney. Just how they trailed at the break was an injustice and a late rally nearly earned then a point vitally needed in their relegation battle, but when you are at the bottom little goes in your favour.

Miners opened with a bang, Paul Redford switching play back inside to Chris Flynn on the burst and Tommy Goulding popping up in support for a stroll to the posts. Mark Hudspith converted and just minutes later Steve Flannery was denied a score for a forward pass.

But when the second score wouldn't come Miners faded and Walney took heart.

Busy hooker burst over

They levelled when busy hooker Darren Jones burst over from Mark Clay's drive and James Finch converted. Just before the half-hour they took the lead when Clay dinked a kick up and Paul Eacott swooped to pluck the ball from the hands of a statuesque Paul Shepherd and score.

After fading so badly Miners hit a 10 minute purple patch. They re-took the lead when Danny Flannery powered over from 20 yards and Hudspith converted off the touchline.

The second half was a tense affair, Miners dominating early on but never quite landing that killer blow, and with seven minutes to go Central pulled right back, Stuart Dancer passing on to James Finch to crash in for 18-14.

Walney scented a chance but squandered two late penalties with Dancer knocking on both times.

In injury time, Miners confirmed the win when Ian Hudspith flung a wide pass out and Steve Clarke powered over.

For the Miners, the quest for a top three finish is very much on the agenda and Walney too can take heart from a committed display that belied their league position.