PILKINGTON Recs secured the crucial win they needed at Leigh Miners Rangers.

The 32-14 success raises the chances of avoiding relegation from the National Conference League Premier Division while almost certainly condemning their hosts.

Pilks opened the scoring in the third minute when loose-forward Tom Roughley crossed and Greg Smith converted.

The play ebbed and flowed in a battle of attrition for the next 28 minutes, with Pilks having the better opportunities to score and having two tries disallowed.

Miners broke the stalemate with a try in the 31st minute but Pilks responded when Ian Stanley broke the Miners' defence to get over in the corner.

Although Smith missed the touchline conversion he slotted a penalty as half-time approached to see his side turn around 12-4 to the good.

In the second half a Miners converted try reduced the gap to two points with 30 minutes left on the clock.

Pilks needed to reply and they did so when Jake Hodson chased a Smith kick into the corner to touch down.

Leigh looked to be running out of steam when on 57 minutes man-of-the-match Stanley ran in for his second virtually unopposed try for 20-10.

Miners did hit back with a four-pointer though, putting the game back in the melting pot at 20-14.

But Pilks ran in two further tries from Ryan Hilliard and Greg Smith in the last five minutes to clinch the important victory.