PROUD Giants coach Jon Sharp praised his 12-man team for battling against the odds to secure a vital 32-22 Super League triumph over Leigh at the Galpharm.

The Giants overcame the 15th-minute dismissal of full-back Paul Reilly for elbowing to beat the basement side yesterday and keep within striking distance of the play-offs.

It was a win Sharp described as one of his side's most important of the season, given the way other results went.

And he is looking for the character shown by his players under such testing conditions to lay the foundation for a route into the top six play-offs for the first time.

"I thought the effort shown by all the players was magnificent," said Sharp.

"The way the 12 who were on the field at any one time pulled together as a group was nothing short of sensational.

"It would have been a great team effort in 50-degree heat, let alone 90-degree heat, and to have pulled off a win under these sort of conditions shows what a very special group of individuals we have at this club. They are a real credit.

"After such a fantastic effort, they really do deserve to secure a play-off place.

"In that respect, this win has to be regarded as probably our most important of the season.

"London and Wigan are both big rivals of ours for a top-six spot, and with both of them winning this weekend (over Leeds and Warrington respectively), it was crucial we won to keep up with them."

The gloss was obviously taken off the Giants' ninth win of the campaign by the sending off of Reilly by referee Ashley Klein for illegal use of the elbow.

Sharp was due to look at the challenge in greater detail later today, ahead of tomorrow's trip to face the RFL disciplinary panel at Red Hall.

And he is hoping video evidence will back up Reilly's own view of the incident.

"Paul assures me he shoulder-charged his opponent, and didn't use the elbow," added Sharp. "Hopefully, that's clear on tape."