IAN MILLWARD has paid tribute to the player he almost let go.

The Leigh coach was quick to hold his hands up and admit he had got it wrong as Andy Fairclough inspired his team to yet another win in the Northern Ford Premiership.

"When I first arrived I was prepared to let Andy go," he admitted. "I wasn't sure about him at all.

"But I'm delighted to say he has proved me wrong a hundredfold. What a gem!"

Millward now holds Fairclough in such high esteem that for the last two games he has skippered the side in the absence of both Craig Dean and Kieron Purtill.

"Andy's a natural leader," he added. "He takes the game to the opposition and is a great example to the rest of the team. He commands great respect."

Fairclough collected his 11th try of the season on Sunday as Millward switched him from his normal loose-forward position to stand-off.

"I wanted him to perform a specific role - and he did it to perfection," he said. :He thoroughly deserved his man of the match award."

Leigh's Alliance side became the first side to be successful at Cougar Park for over a year when they beat Keighley 28-20. Nick Jenkins collected a hat-trick of tries and there were other touchdowns from Mark Kay and Chris Parr with Sheldon Hannan and Craig Wingfield landing two goals apiece.

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