BATLEY were left wondering how on earth they lost after a penalty goal two minutes from time gave Leigh a very fortunate victory in National Division One at Hilton Park.
The result was very harsh on the Bulldogs, who were at the wrong end of a 16-6 penalty count by French referee Thierry Alibert.
A drop-goal by Paul Mennell nudged them 17-16 ahead with two minutes left. However, Leigh's short restart was waved on as they regained possession, although the ball did not seem to travel the 10 yards, and the inevitable penalty enabled Ian Watson to land the match-winning goal and rob the Bulldogs.
Crucially, Batley were also left counting the cost of their failure to turn clear-cut chances into points. Rarely can they have created so many as they frequently tore the home defence apart. Poor final passes and dropped balls cost what seemed certain tries. They also had scores disallowed on a day of desperately bad luck.
Mennell had a top game, frequently creating space and scored two tries while Jermaine McGilvray looked a terrific prospect as he made a series of storming runs and how he failed to score is a mystery. Another loan man, centre Aaron Murphy also looked the part.
The Bulldogs' pack did a fine job, making regular yardage, with Byron Smith having a good return and Kevin Crouthers back to form. The forwards tackled hard and deserved far better for their efforts.
Leigh took an early lead when strong pressure led to Watson's long ball sending Ian Mort over. Watson failed at goal.
Batley took command with quality rugby and totally dominated the rest of the half. Mennell almost got Ian Preece over, Mark Barlow and Andy Boothroyd lost the ball when well placed but the Bulldogs were making inroads.
Reward came when the alert Johnny Campbell snapped up a loose ball and left defenders grasping air as he sliced through for a cracking try. Kevin King added the goal.
Murphy, Preece and Boothroyd linked well but McGilvary was foiled when the referee ruled knock-on.
The Bulldogs struck again when Mennell showed great footwork to beat a string of defenders and dart down the wing for another sparkling try. King failed at goal but the Bulldogs deservedly led 10-4.
Things got even better as Murphy and McGilvary swept down the left and Mennell supported to cut inside for his second try. King added the goal.
Kevin Crouthers made a terrific run but Barlow failed to take his pass with the line open and Campbell got in at the corner but was pulled back for not grounding correctly and another chance went when Kris Lythe was recalled for forward pass.
A cracking break by Campbell found Murphy in support but the Bulldogs lost possession in follow-up and had to settle for 16-4 at half-time when they could have been well clear.
As expected Leigh resumed in determined mood, the Bulldogs tackled well but Adam Higson blasted over, Watson added the goal.
Still Batley had chances. McGilvary made another dazzling run and was tackled just short and lost possession. He was again very close after good work by Crouthers.
McGilvary intercepted near his own line and raced almost the length of the field before being stopped and the ball again came loose.
The tide turned when Tim Spears was harshly penalised for trying to take the ball after Leigh had had six tackles. It led to Watson's high kick being knocked back by Dave Alstead and Anthony Stewart plunged over. Watson's touchline conversion levelled matters.
With five minutes left Lythe was sin-binned for interference then Barlow broke clear only for the referee to bring play back and award Batley a penalty for a high tackle but this time no sin-bin.
This led to the late drama and Batley were left feeling a bonus point was poor reward.
Leigh: Mort, Alstead, Woodcock, Roberts, Maden, Powell, Watson, Morrison, McConnell, Price, Higson, Doran, A.Smith. Replacements: Hatton, Stewart, Taylor, Hill.
Batley: Preece, McGilvary, King, Murphy, Campbell, Barlow, Mennell, Stenchion, Lythe (sin-binned 74), Crouthers, B.Smith, Spears, Boothroyd. Replacements: Lindsay, Archibald, Henderson, Simpson.
Referee: Thierry Alibert.
Attendance: 1,601.