LEIGH have been given a resounding wake-up call as the season reaches the nitty-gritty.

With just eight games of the league campaign remaining they know they can't afford many more slips.

Sunday's 22-16 defeat at Whitehaven saw them drop to third and it could be a tense final two months.

Leigh were without seven regulars, then lost hooker Nick Jenkins with a torn hamstring and half-back Saf Patel with an elbow injury.

And they played the final quarter with 12 men after Anthony Murray was dismissed, ruled to have caught Wayne Kitchin with a late challenge.

Leigh trailed 12-10 at the time and a difficult job was made all the harder.

Yet there was no disguising the fact Leigh should have got at least a point.

They led 16-12 going into the final six minutes but were twice undone by kicks to the corner.

Beaten only once at home all season, Whitehaven had the bit between their teeth all afternoon and a Leigh side held together with sticking plaster had it's work cut out just to keep pace.

Tries from Patel and Kieron Purtill pushed them clear; Hsven blasted back, then - after spilling one chance - Dave Ingram stormed in for his 16th try of the season.

But they couldn't hang on and cracked badly when Whitehaven made their final assault.

LEIGH: Donlan; Wingfield, Hadcroft, Ingram, Arkwright; Patel, Purtill; Street, Jenkins, Whittle, Kendrick, Cruickshank, Kennedy. Subs: Murray, Pucill, Burrows, Liku. Attendance: 953.

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