Kevin Sinfield took this Super League game by the scruff the neck midway through the second half and inspired Leeds to an unlikely victory.

The Rhinos trailed 26-10 five minutes after the break but fought back to ensure a play-off spot and dent London's chances of making it into the top six.

London coach Tony Rea claimed his side were robbed and that the hooter went nearly two minutes before it should have done.

But his claims were dismissed by Rugby Football League Match Commissioner John Holdsworth.

Good fortune

It took London only three minutes to get off the mark, Dennis Moran brushing aside tackles to force his way over.

Leeds started tentatively and even when their first score came it had an element of good fortune.

Sinfield kicked across field and Keith Senior backed into Steve Hall, with 18-year-old Richard Mathers left in the clear to score his first Rhinos try.

Leeds took the lead when London's Rob Jackson spilled a pass and Mark Calderwood raced the length of the pitch and scored under the posts.

Sinfield, who had missed two earlier chances, made sure of the kick.

London hit back in the 26th minute when the ever-dangerous Jim Dymock powered to the line and Steve Hall then rounded off a good passing move to cross in the corner.

Change of luck

Paul Sykes landed his fourth successful goal of the half to give the Broncos a 20-10 lead at the break.

Five minutes after the re-start Nigel Roy held off a tackle and touched down, with Sykes successful from the touchline.

However, Roy then turned villain when he failed to take Rob Burrow's kick and allowed Sinfield to snatch a try.

Sinfield missed his third kick and the fans let it be known they did not approve of Daryl Powell's decision to leave out regular kicker Ben Walker.

Undisturbed the GB stand-off added a second try five minutes later, Burrow adding the goal.

After a pitch-length run by Mathers, which was stopped inches short of the line, Ryan Sheridan scampered over, with Burrow's conversion making it 26-26.

Francis Cummins then snatched the lead with a drop goal and 19-year-old Danny McGuire coolly slotted home the final point with minutes to go.

Leeds: Cummins, Calderwood, C. Walker, Senior, Mathers, Sinfield, Sheridan, Ward, Diskin, McDermott, Hay, Bailey, Poching.

Replacements: McGuire, Jones-Buchanan, Burrow, McDonald.

London: Sykes, Hall, Jackson, Martin, Roy, Gillett, Moran, Marshall, Hetherington, Stephenson, Retchless, Toshack, Dymock.

Replacements: Bawden, Barnett, Budworth, Houles.

Referee: R Smith (Castleford)