Leeds Rhinos (14) 20
T : Carl Ablett, Kallum Watkins, Jamie Jones-Buchanan
G : Kevin Sinfield 3, Zak Hardaker
DG :

Catalans Dragons (6) 24
T : Sam Williams 2, Zeb Taia, Louis Anderson
G : Thomas Bosc 4
DG :

Catalans Dragons scrum-half Sam Williams struck with a last-minute try to knock Leeds Rhinos out of the First Utility Super League play-offs in a thrilling finish to their elimination tie at Headingley.

Williams pounced on a handling error on his own line by Rhinos winger Tom Briscoe to score his second try of the match and clinch his side a 24-20 victory that earns them a trip to Huddersfield Giants in next Friday's preliminary semi-final.

It was the French club's first win at Headingley at their 10th attempt and came in the most dramatic fashion.

They fought back from 14-6 down at half-time to lead 18-14 but Leeds thought they had snatched the victory when second rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan went over for their third try 11 minutes from the end and skipper Kevin Sinfield kicked his fourth goal.

It was sweet revenge for the Dragons, who conceded a last-minute penalty to go down 32-31 in a league game at Headingley in June.

Leeds had taken the initiative early on, with second rower Carl Ablett, so often the unsung hero of the Leeds team, opening the scoring on 15 minutes when he took Danny McGuire's pass to charge over for a try.

That came after Sinfield had switched the point of attack, moments after being hit late by a tackle from Catalan forward Louis Anderson.

Sinfield added the goal but Leeds were forced into some desperate defending as the visitors found their rhythm.

Full-back Zak Hardaker and forward Mitch Achurch pulled off last-ditch tackles on Zeb Taia and Williams before the latter supported a break by skipper Gregory Mounis on 25 minutes to score his side's first try.

Thomas Bosc kicked the conversion and the Catalans might have been in front but for their lack of discipline.

They conceded five penalties to one inside the first 30 minutes and that was before centre Vincent Duport was placed on report for another late tackle on Sinfield.

Hardaker kicked the resultant penalty to edge the Rhinos in front and centre Kallum Watkins struck on the stroke of half-time, twice kicking the ball ahead following a knock-on by Morgan Escare to touch down.

Sinfield's second conversion made it 14-6 but the lead was back to two points six minutes into the second half when Dragons second rower Taia jumped above Briscoe to collect Bosc's high kick and, although he came down short of the line, video referee Richard Silverwood ruled that his momentum had taken him over it.

The score gave the French side renewed confidence and they went in front for the first time on 56 minutes when Anderson charged onto Williams' pass and bumped off Hardaker to touch down.

Bosc's third goal made it 18-14 and fumbles by Ryan Hall and Hardaker deep inside their own half enabled the Catalans to keep the pressure on.

It needed a last-ditch tackle from Hardaker on opposite number Escare to keep the Rhinos in the game and they looked to have snatched victory when a bloodied but unbowed Sinfield split open the visitors' defence to get second rower Jones-Buchanan over for their third try.

That levelled the scores and Sinfield slotted over to keep alive his side's Old Trafford dream but it was dashed in dramatic fashion when Briscoe fumbled Sinfield's pass on his own line to gift Williams with the winner.