Owen Craigie scored a hat-trick as Widnes kept their engage Super League survival hopes alive with a crucial victory at bottom club Leigh.

The Vikings looked to be cruising when they led 16-0 at half-time but Leigh scored two quick tries through Steve Maden and Matt Sturm after the restart to give them hope of a comeback.

But Shane Millard dived in from dummy half on the hour mark for a decisive try which Stephen Myler converted to open up a 12-point gap.

A John Wilshere try 10 minutes from the end raised Leigh's hopes but Craigie completed his hat-trick by scoring two more in the dying minutes both converted by Myler.

There was little to chose between the sides in the opening stages but Widnes broke the deadlock after 12 minutes when Simon Finnigan touched down a Craigie grubber kick.

Myler added the conversion and also kicked a penalty soon after for an off-the-ball obstruction.

The influential Craigie was involved in his side's second try in the 21st minute as he supported a break by John Stankevitch. Myler again landed the extras.

Leigh enjoyed more attacking possession as the half went on but they could not find a way through from determined Vikings defence.

The nearest the home side came was just before the break when the busy John Duffy just failed to ground the ball after a well-timed Craig Stapleton pass.

Leigh's cause was not helped by the unfortunate loss of Neil Turley, who was stretchered off after suffering a head injury in a heavy tackle midway through the half.