Charnley try helps Leigh beat Wire and go fifth

Betfred Super League

Leigh (6) 16

Tries: Leutele, Halton, Charnley Goals: Moylan 2

Warrington (6) 12

Tries: Ashton, Powell Goals: Thewlis 2

Warrington played for most of the night with 12 men as their bid to win the League Leaders Shield suffered a 16-12 setback at play-off chasing Leigh Leopards.

Prop Paul Vaughan was sent off by referee Liam Moore for a high shot on Owen Trout.

Leigh did not immediately make the most of the extra man advantage - but two tries in eight second-half minutes from Frankie Halton and Wire old boy Josh Charnley earned them victory.

Adrian Lam's side are now back in contention for a season extension after moving into the top six for the first time this season.

Warrington, beaten for only the second time in 10 games, now trail second-placed Wigan by two points and leaders Hull KR by four - and the Warriors can open up the same gap if they beat Catalans in Perpignan on Saturday.

Then comes another potential night of drama next Friday when Wire host St Helens and Wigan face Hull KR.

Leigh, boosted by the return of full-back Matt Moylan for the first time in four games but without suspended skipper John Asiata, took the lead from Lachlan Lam's offload to Ricky Leutele two minutes before Vaughan's dismissal.

But, after Moylan made up for his missed conversion with a penalty, Warrington struck back to level at 6-6 five minutes from half-time.

George Williams set up Matty Ashton to claim his 21st try of the season - and Josh Thewlis slotted a fine touchline kick.

After a debate with referee Moore as he left the pitch at half-time, Warrington boss Sam Burgess' mood did not improve when two handling errors gifted Leigh the chance to re-take the lead.

A lengthy video review denied Lam a try but there was no denying second row Halton a third touchdown in four games after 45 minutes. And, eight minutes later Charnley maintained his record of scoring against his old side, touching down for a fourth time in four games.

Wire had a glimmer of hope when another of their former players Jack Hughes was sin-binned after 58 minutes - to level it up to 12 a side for 10 minutes.

Leigh held firm until the 79th minute when Sam Powell's late try set up an nervous final minute before time ran out for the visitors.

Josh Charnley celebrated his 245th Super League try - to move him within two of the now retired Danny McGuire and eight behind new record holder Ryan Hall

Leigh boss Adrian Lam:

"It is hard to fathom where we are, the way the start of the season unfolded. To come away with a strong win was just what we needed."

"When a team loses a player it is difficult to come back and win. Warrington were courageous how they played after that.

"To be honest I haven't seen it as closely as they have done. But I thought our sin binning shouldn't have been a sin binning. There is nothing about our club that talks about staying down after hits. I am the complete opposite; it's all about 'get up and get on with it'.

"I just want to focus on us and how we have rallied since the halfway part of the season. But the minute you fall in love with yourself in this game you get kicked up the backside."

Warrington boss Sam Burgess:

"Is it really a red card? Were there mitigating factors? I believe so. I would have said yellow. It was such a big call because it had such an influence on the result.

"It was embarrassing. It has become a theatrical game. Numerous players were telling players to stay down when we were about to play on.

"But I can't stress how proud I am of the team. We never stopped trying and we were below average with the ball. I have got a team fighting hard for each other. So, I will fight for them and ask a couple of questions.

"What are we going to do to sort out this mess? That was a mess and spoiled a good game. Let's hope people in power get a grip of it. I don't think it is a great look."

Leigh: Moylan; McIntosh, Hanley, Leutele, Charnley; O'Brien, Lam; Trout, Ipape, Mulhern, O'Donnell, Halton, Amone.

Interchanges: Davis, Hughes, Pene, Hardaker, Dwyer.

Sin Bin: Hughes (58).

Warrington: Taylor-Wray; Thewlis, Tai, King, Ashton; Williams, Drinkwater; Vaughan, Powell, Yates, Bateman, Fitzgibbon, Currie.

Interchanges:Musgrove, Philbin, Walker, Crowther, Whitehead.

Sent Off: Vaughan (11).

Referee: Liam Moore.