BATLEY Bulldogs are hoping for a change of fortune and aim to turn a good performance into points when they meet Celtic Crusaders at Mount Pleasant on Sunday (3pm).

The Bulldogs’ displays in the second half at Widnes and throughout against Leigh have raised hopes of a top-six place rather than a relegation battle and there is confidence they can spring a few upsets.

Batley are due a bit of luck, having had none in the last two games and were shattered by the setback at Hilton Park last Sunday when a late penalty goal sent them to a one-point defeat.

Coach Gary Thornton added: “It was a massive disappointment. In the dressing room you would have thought we’d been beaten by 50 points, the lads were devastated and we have to lift them for Sunday.”

The Bulldogs were seething at a heavy penalty toll against them at Leigh by French referee Thierry Alibert and what they claim was a clear mistake, which decided the match, when Leigh’s short kick-off after Paul Mennell’s drop-goal had nudged Batley 17-16 ahead. They said the ball did not travel the required 10 yards. Leigh regained possession, were allowed to continue and were then awarded the match-winning penalty.

Thornton stressed: “Our lads stopped because the ball didn’t go the distance, everyone in the ground could see it apart from the referee and touch judges. We were heavily penalised throughout the second half and some didn’t seem to make sense. I’m reluctant to criticise match officials, we don’t do it as a club, but this was harsh on us.”

However, Thornton emphasised the Bulldogs had enough chances, particularly in the first half, to have put the game out of reach. He went on: “We scored some great tries but bombed at least three others which were far easier. It was a great first half performance, the best for a considerable time, we threw the ball around and training ground moves came off.

“Our last two performances at so-called top-six sides have been very encouraging, we played the kind of rugby I have been seeking.

“I want the centres and wingers to have plenty of the ball and to come off tired. It’s soul-destroying we haven’t got a win out of those two games but the performances suggested that the top six is not beyond us.

“At Leigh the outside backs were superb. Aaron Murphy is only on loan but he will soon be a Super League centre and if Johnny Campbell maintains this progress he will be one of the finds of the season. Our other loan player, Jermaine McGilvray, will also soon be in Super League.

They are young lads with plenty of class and the type we needed when Danny Maun was ruled out and Kevin King injured.”

Stand-off Mark Barlow, who played at Leigh, is still struggling with an ankle injury, but hopes to be fit. Otherwise the side is likely to be unchanged.

Thornton said: “Our home form has been pretty average to say the least but the lads feel there are games left we can win.