IT'S probably a shame York City Knights saved arguably their best display this year for the visit of Leigh.

Had they played like this against the likes of Rochdale, Halifax and Workington, they would have National League One points on the board by now and be in the Northern Rail Cup semi-finals.

But the promotion-chasing Centurions are a cut above those teams. They had enough to weather the storm and benefit from the breaks they got to build a half-time lead, and thereafter use their full-time fitness and ex-Super League nous to keep it, despite full-back Scott Grix's red card.

Had Matt Blaymire grounded his gilt-edged early chance it could have been different. The usually ultra-reliable York full-back was put through to the corner by Jamaine Wray but dropped the ball under no pressure.

Nonetheless, eager defence was keeping Leigh's chances to a minimum, even when Neil Law's fumble ten yards out gave them an excellent position. But the visitors went ahead against the run of play on 23 minutes, Lee Greenwood scoring from a kick to the corner.

Law made amends for his gaffe with a typically powerful and intelligent display, which included having a second-half try ruled out for a debatably forward pass, while fellow centre Rob Spicer again showed his class.

However, it was possibly the pack that shone most for the Knights.

David Bates drove holes, Adam Sullivan was as committed as usual and hooker Jamaine Wray was again dangerous and exciting to watch - he is fast becoming a fans favourite.

The second-rows, though, were probably the pick. April player of the month Jason Golden showed why he is rated among the best players ever to put on a Knights shirt, while Aussie Dave Buckley battered and bruised his way through challenges aplenty.

By the way, Dana Wilson, who reneged on his winter move to the Knights, did little up front for Leigh.

York had probably been the better side all round and, although Leigh began to stretch the play as the half progressed, a 4-0 half-time lead would have flattered them.

As it was, they made it 14-0 on the back of two mistakes, one by the referee and the other by debutant Austin Buchanan.

Firstly, Leigh stand-off Carl Forber chipped forward, James Taylor - looking decidely offside - kneed it on and Forber touched down.

Then Buchanan, back on the Knights wing in place of the crocked Peter Fox, came infield to get involved but dropped the ball at dummy-half and Greenwood crossed out wide, Forber goaling.

The Knights' heads did not drop, though, and they began the second half on top, getting deserved reward when Buckley broke through and Lee Paterson scored under the sticks for Hasty to convert. Amazingly, it was captain Paterson's first competitive try in 17 months with the club.

The Knights were not without handling errors but these were countered by superb defence, while at the other end they tried to build pressure, aided as Grix was sent off just before the hour-mark for using a knee on Law in the tackle.

Blaymire had another half-chance following a Leigh fumble but could not collect the bobbling ball, and Hasty had the ball knocked out as he tried to reach the line. But the Knights had pulses racing again after Leigh had foolishly declined two points from a penalty.

Buchanan intercepted on his own line and broke upfield on the right, and the ball was quickly spread to the space on the left where Mark Blanchard finished well.

York sensed a shock but lost momentum on the restart as the otherwise excellent Scott Rhodes passed the ball into no-man's land to concede a drop-out, and Leigh thereafter killed the game.

They again declined another two-pointer but, as in the first half, got ten more late on.

Hooker Paul Rowley cleverly used the short side and Adam Hughes crossed by the flag, before Greenwood completed his hat-trick with a 70-metre counter-attack, Forber goaling on the hooter.

Kinghts: Blaymire 7, Lingard 6, Spicer 8, Law 8, Buchanan 7, Rhodes 8, Hasty 7, Sullivan 8, Wray 9, Bates 8, Buckley 9, Golden 9, Paterson 7. Subs (all used): Liddell 7, Ward 7, Priestley 6, Blanchard 7.

Tries: Paterson 44; Blanchard 68.

Conversions: Hasty 44.

Penalties: None.

Drop-goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Leigh: Grix, Gaskill, Hughes, Halliwell, Greenwood, Forber, Heremaia, R Bibey, Rowley, Wilson, Taylor, C Hill, Sykes. Subs (all used): Coleman, Speakman, Cookson, Stevens.

Tries: Greenwood 23, 38, 80; Forber 35; Hughes 77.

Conversions: Forber 38, 80.

Penalties: None.

Drop-goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

man of the match: David Buckley - York's forwards were excellent all round and Buckley, who would probably have run through a brick wall if he had to, was possibly the pick.

HT: 0-14

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield)

Rating: Good and bad in unequal measure.

Attendance: 2,121

Penalty count: 8-7

Gamebreaker: Matt Blaymire's early bombed chance suggested it wouldn't be York's day no matter what, while Adam Hughes' late try ensured it wouldn't be, despite their gallant efforts.

Moment of the match: A thumping, perfectly executed, textbook tackle by Jason Golden which dumped visiting full-back Scott Grix on his back.

Weather watch: dull with a downfield breeze and some second-half rain.

Match rating: Win or lose, this kind of match showed why playing in NL1 is much better than NL2.

Updated: 11:55 Monday, May 15, 2006