It was a frustrating end to the game for Leek at Altrad Park as what looked like a bonus point clinching try against visitors Manchester was ruled out by the referee.

The Moorlanders had given themselves a mountain to climb after a first half display littered with penalties and turnovers, which saw Manchester stretch out to a 21-0 lead with three converted tries.

Playing with the wind in the second period, the hosts fought back with three tries of their own against one more for the visitors. Leek got their catch and drive and rolling maul working to claim tries for Lee Williams and Joel Booth, and an outside break saw Will Midwinter claim a third.

As time ran out, the Leek forwards thought they had scored again from a maul - which would have given them a losing bonus point and a try bonus. But the referee thought otherwise, ruling that the ball had been held up, and blew for full time with the score at 17-28.