FT: Salford Red Devils 2-14 Leigh Leopards
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Salford finished the regular season in fourth - their best finish under Paul Rowley
Leigh's stunning end to the season helped them finish fifth having won 10 of their final 12 games
Visitors depleted after Frankie Halton fails a head injury assessment after Tim Lafai tackle with nine minutes gone
Josh Charnley, Gareth O'Brien and Edwin Ipape put Leigh in front after Marc Sneyd's penalty had sent Salford ahead
Charnley stretchered off after lengthy delay following clash with Ryan Brierley in race to the try-line
Salford 2-10 Leigh
Salford are rocked back once more by this ferocious Leigh attack.
A kick to the corner has the hosts backtracking once more, and the chasers for Leigh force Ryan Brierley back over his line.
Leigh will once again receive the ball from a goalline drop-out.
Salford 2-10 Leigh
Kieron Purtill
Former Leigh head coach on BBC Radio Manchester
Image source, PA MediaI think 10-2 reflects the second half that we’ve seen. Leigh have dominated possession and field position. They look like they have a lot more energy at the moment.
Salford are having to do a lot more tackles and defend the try-line. Physically and emotionally that is taking a lot out of them.
Salford 2-10 Leigh
It feels like a long way back into this game for Salford now.
Both sides exchange penalties and metres, but Leigh will be happy to see it keep going this way with just over 15 minutes left.
Gareth O'Brien, goal Moylan
Image source, PA MediaLeigh land a sucker punch with this second try!
Edwin Ipape has just blown this game wide open for Leigh, as he bursts through the line and thunders away.
He makes the most of a slip from Salford's Oliver Partington, then loops a lovely pass for Gareth O'Brien to touch down.
This time Matt Moylan is on the money with his conversion and it's an eight-point lead for Leigh.
Salford 2-4 Leigh
Salford very nearly squeeze right down the belly of Leigh's defence.
There is great hands from Oliver Partington and Joe Mellor, but the hooker is wrapped up before he could squirm his way clear.
Salford 2-4 Leigh
Image source, PA MediaThat Josh Charnley try also moves the winger up to second in Super League's all-time try-scoring list - surpassing Danny McGuire.
That was number 248!
Very few will have been more important.
Salford 2-4 Leigh
Kieron Purtill
Former Leigh head coach on BBC Radio Manchester
This time they got it right and they executed really well. I don’t think the Salford defence were too happy that the referee has not gone and checked that – they think there was an obstruction.
But that was a really well executed play from Leigh and who else in the corner but Josh Charnley?
Josh Charnley
Image source, PA MediaThe Leopards have pounced!
That try has been a long while coming, it has to be said.
Leigh press up the middle, but swing the ball left in a flash where Josh Charnley is waiting on the wing to finish with a diving effort!
Matt Moylan steps up to try add the conversion, but can't find the mark from out wide.
Salford 2-0 Leigh
Salford supports are up off their seats in unison as as Nene Macdonald pounces on a loose ball before racing away...
The roars of excitement, however, are short lived as play is brought back for a knock-on.
Leigh will set a scrum near Salford's tryline.
Can they make this pressure count?
Salford 2-0 Leigh
Umyla Hanley chews up the metres for Leigh down the right, but he is eventually stopped.
The whistle, however is blown and penalty awarded as the centre was stripped of the ball.
The Leopards reset just 20m out...
Salford 2-0 Leigh
Lachlan Lam is so often a wizard with the ball when the tryline beckons, but on this occasion he simply throws away a chance for the Leopards.
He swings a pass behind his team-mate, when Leigh looked well set to really heap the pressure on.
Salford 2-0 Leigh
Image source, PA MediaAnd so, Leigh come again.
Salford's defence is once again equal to every question asked of them and it's another goalline drop-out...
Salford 2-0 Leigh
Leigh go looking for a Salford weakness down on the left wing.
A grubber kick from Ricky Leutele is being chased hard by Josh Charnley, but Chris Hankinson is onto it and concedes a goalline drop-out.
Salford 2-0 Leigh
Kieron Purtill
Former Leigh head coach on BBC Radio Manchester
Since half-time the temperature has dropped and there is dew on the grass a little bit more.
We have seen two or three players slipping. That might play a bit of a factor defensively if he doesn’t quite get their feet moving in the right areas.
Salford 2-0 Leigh
A second penalty in as many minutes from Nene Macdonald allows Leigh to kick well up field.
The Leopards have been gifted this attacking opportunity now...
Salford 2-0 Leigh
The Salford Red Devils crowd are in great voice.
A Marc Sneyd kick that is allowed to bounce near the try line draws roars of expectation.
A penalty, however, allows Leigh to relieve the pressure.
It's Nene Macdonald that catches Darnell McIntosh with a high hit.
Salford 2-0 Leigh
Salford are first with the ball in the second half, and Leigh work them hard as they just get to the halfway line.
It's been a taxing and brutal evening for both sides in this low-scoring affair so far.
Salford 2-0 Leigh
We are back up and running at the Salford Community Stadium.
There were plenty of nearly moments in the first half, but we are yet to see a try.
Also, it's worth noting that Leigh are getting through this match after losing second rower Frankie Halton, who has failed a head injury assessment
HT: Salford 2-0 Leigh
Stick with us for more of this Elimination thriller after the break, but it's worth remembering that there is more than one way to follow the action on this page.
Scroll up and you have a selection of radio commentaries to listen to as well.
Follow every tackle, try and thrill by listening to BBC Radio Manchester, or listen along on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Image source, swpix.comA top four finish for Salford Red Devils didn't go unnoticed this season with centre Nene Macdonald and half-back Marc Sneyd dazzling enough to earn a spot in the Super League Dream Team.
Leigh, however, were the only team to make the play-offs that didn't have a player included in the star-studded ensemble.
Table-topping Wigan are best represented with four - Jake Wardle, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba and Liam Marshall - making the grade.
Super League Dream Team 2024
Full-back: Matt Dufty (Warrington Wolves)
Winger: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves)
Centre: Nene Macdonald (Salford Red Devils)
Centre: Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
Winger: Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors)
Stand-off: Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
Scrum-half: Marc Sneyd (Salford)
Prop: Matty Lees (St Helens)
Hooker: Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)
Prop: Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors)
Second-row: Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors)
Second-row: Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos)
Loose-forward: Elliot Minchella (Hull KR)
