Leigh Leopards are fighting with Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Catalans Dragons as they jostle for the top two positions in the league and the reward of a home semi-final in the Betfred Super League play-offs.

However, the Leopards were dealt a major blow in their latest Super League clash as they met league leaders Catalans Dragons.

The French side rallied to storm to a 30-14 win securing their play-off spot mathematically and edging them closer to the League Leaders’ Shield.

It was a game with a touch of controversy with a number of late hits on John Asiata prompting Leigh fans to call for cards and at times red ones.

With the atmosphere at fever pitch, Barrie McDermott claimed that official Jack Smith was “rattled.”

But he kept his nerve and never brandished a card when it wasn’t needed.

In terms of the game, a late hit from Mike McMeeken and a yellow card saw Leigh nail an early penalty to make it 2-0.

Then, after a Sam Tomkins blunder, an inside ball from John Asiata allowed Tom Amone to tear through and score. He rounded the cover defence for a great try.

Catalans Dragons definitely needed to score next and they came up with a response after Zak Hardaker gave away a penalty. Mitchell Pearce stabbed a kick behind and touched down himself to score.

The Dragons were now on top and stormed 12-8 ahead with a try from Paul Seguier. A great set play from the Dragons with attacking players doubling up on defenders allowing Seguier to carve through.

But then another yellow card for Catalans, this time to Michael McIlorum, paved the way for Leigh to score with Ben Nakubuwai burrowing over from the penalty allowing Ben Reynolds to nail a penalty and make it 14-12.

Then a mess at the back nearly led to a try for Wigan Warriors bound Adam Keighran after a ball bounced off a defender but he was unable to ground the loose ball.

But shortly after Catalans took the lead again when Hull KR bound Tyrone May kicked behind for Tom Davies to score.

May was in the mood in the second half as he dummied, bounced off Ben Reynolds and carved inside wrong footing Ben Nakubuwai who was missing his boot.

The match was settled with another try for the Leopards as Manu Ma’u grounded another kick.