TIM STREET is backing Leigh to put their Challenge Cup heartbreak behind them - for the sake of the fans.

Tough guy Street felt the pain of Sunday's late KO at Widnes as much as anybody.

But his real concern was for his young players and growing army of fans.

"That hurt," he admitted. "To have got so close and then see victory snatched away at the death was a sickener. We're all gutted.

"It hit the younger lads really hard but I've every confidence they'll soon bounce back and put it down to experience.

"But the people I really felt sorry for were the fans. They were absolutely brilliant. It was really emotional at the end when we went over to thank them.

"They know we gave it everything and if they can continue to support us in large numbers for the rest of the season, we'll give them something to shout about."

Leigh return to league action on Sunday when Whitehaven visit Hilton Park. New Aussie recruit Jamie Kennedy will make his Leigh debut but there are still big doubts over David Ingram (knee) and Chris Parr (neck).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.