ERIC HUGHES is now acutely aware of the awesome task facing him at Hilton Park.

Sunday's 23-20 home defeat by South Wales showed him first hand the problems that cost Ian Lucas his Leigh coaching job.

Hughes' losing start to his Hilton Park reign was just as depressing as those matches with Lucas at the helm.

A performance riddled with basic errors saw Leigh fumble and finally stumble to a last-minute defeat that leaves them well adrift near the foot of the table.

And Hughes was rightly furious! Leigh had allowed a match-winning position slip away after leading 20-17 with just two minutes remaining.

They should have had a second victory of the season in the bag when Alan Mason skipped round the defence to collect his second try of the game.

But poor sets of six tackles in attack and defence ended with former Wales Rugby Union U21 prop James Alvis crashing in from close range for a dramatic clinching try.

Mason, more than most, had done his best to rouse Leigh after they had fallen 7-0 behind just before half-time.

Winger Shaun Marshall had powered in early on to give South Wales the lead before a Mike Healey penalty and an Anthony Hatton drop goal extended the advantage.

Leigh got it back to 7-6 with Jimmy Veikoso doing all the spade work for Paul Daniel's fourth try of the season.

The second of Dean Purtill's four goals early in the second half put Leigh ahead for the first time.

But, each time Leigh edged ahead, they quickly handed the initiative back to South Wales. Neil Kelly made it 13-8 before a solo try from Mason again had Leigh in front.

Andy Currier caught Leigh out again as the lead changed hands.

Then, just when Mason's second try looked as though it was going to prove to be crucial, the home defence caved in again to allow Alvis in for his soft winner.

LEIGH: O'Loughlin; Hill, Hadcroft, Veikoso, Purtill; Mason (Ingram 73), Quigley; McGughan (Grainey 28), Bannister, Cain, Daniel, Ball, Lyon. Subs: Fletcher, Liku. Att: 1,090.

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