BULLS academy graduate James Bentley was sent off 15 minutes into his Leeds debut as the Rhinos were edged out 22-20 by Warrington Wolves this afternoon.

Bentley was handed a harsh red card for a high shot on Wolves half-back Gareth Widdop in his first display for his hometown club.

Warrington came from 20-10 down to beat 12-man Leeds 22-20 in an engrossing Super League contest at Headingley at lunchtime.

Bentley's dismissal forced Leeds to play for over an hour a man short and they were at one time down to 11 after the sin-binning of Brad Dwyer for a silly late challenge.

They also lost Richie Myler to injury in the first half forcing a major reshuffle but displayed immense grit and tenacity to stay in the game until fatigue took its toll.

All in all Channel 4 could hardly have chosen better for the first Super League match to be broadcast live on terrestrial television.

Leeds were already without former Warrington five-eighth Blake Austin through suspension and they went into the game without injured star centre Harry Newman.

Full-back Jack Walker played his first Super League game in 15 months, while winger David Fusitu'a and half-back Aidan Sezer also made their Leeds debuts.

Leeds had all the early pressure without making it count and the visitors, having put themselves under pressure with a couple of unforced handling errors, went in front from their first meaningful attack on 11 minutes.

A neat pass from Wire centre Connor Wrench released pacy winger Matty Ashton and Widdop was on hand to finish off wide out.

It went from bad to worse for the Rhinos when Myler limped off and Bentley saw red for his lunging challenge, inadvertently catching a falling Widdop around the head with an arm, but they responded magnificently to the adversity.

Replacement rake Brad Dwyer sent Zane Tetevano over for a try four minutes later and five minutes after that his fellow front-rower Matt Prior marked the 300th appearance of his career with a similar short-range try.

Rhyse Martin added both conversions to make it 12-4 but Leeds were temporarily reduced to 11 men when Dwyer was sin-binned for a late hit on Widdop after he had passed the ball - challenges the RFL is cracking down heavily on this season - and the Wire took full advantage.

A break by halfback George Williams revealed a vast opening out on the right and Matt Davies and Oliver Holmes combined to give winger Josh Charnley an unopposed run to the line for a try which acting captain Stefan Ratchford converted.

Leeds began the second half without Fusitu’a, who had not recovered from a heavy challenge from Ben Currie midway through the first half, copping a shoulder to the face which went unpunished by official Chris Kendall, but they continued to defy the odds by carving out a third try, winger Ash Handley touching down a clever kick from outstanding captain Kruise Leeming.

Martin kicked the touchline conversion and also added a penalty after Holmes had been sin-binned for a high tackle on Leeds second-rower James Donaldson, catching the forward around the head with a swinging arm.

That made it 20-10 but, with Holmes back on the field, Warrington finally made the extra man count when Ratchford’s cut-out pass got Charnley in for his second try on 66 minutes.

Ratchford’s goal brought his side to within four points and it was all square on 73 minutes when the full-back got Wrench over for the Wolves’ fourth try.

Ratchford then kept his nerve to land the angled conversion to nudge them back in front and break Leeds’ hearts.