LEIGH MINERS are hurting - hurting for an elusive point.

They crashed 20-19 to Saddleworth, their FIFTH one-point defeat of a season that began so well and is now tumbling into turmoil.

This time the decisive moment was in the final minute as the Oldham side charged down a clearance kick to score.

It had all been so different moments before with MR in command at 19-10 after Winston Sarsfield intercepted and gallopped 90 metres for the try.

Miners showed nine changes as they sought a few league win in six outings. And there was good stuff from half-backs Mick Morris and Shaun Coleman, winger Simon Unsworth and centre Steve Topping.

The pressure told when experienced hooker Ian Sanderson twisted free of tackles for the opening try.

Saddleworth hit back but goals from Sarsfield and a Sanderson drop kept MR in the picture.

MoM prop Simon Wood was outstanding, Lee Stretch strived to get clear, Simon Unsworth was pulled back by fingertip tackles. It all looked good for the second half.

Unsworth finally got through for a deserved try, Sarsfield goaling. Then, with Adam Featherstone as sub, the tempo increased and Sarsfield grabbed his TD.

At 19-10 it looked good. At 20-19 it looked awful.

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