COUGARS need to cash-in the points from Sunday's game against Featherstone -- if they are to keep their hopes of avoiding the drop alive.

Confidence at the club is still high, despite being at the bottom of the table, and they beat Rovers 42-18 in their only league win so far.

"We know we are drinking at the Last Chance Saloon, but I think we still have a good chance of avoiding relegation. We have been turning in some good performances and don't look like a team staring relegation in the face," said coach Gary Moorby.

"With five minutes to go last week we were just 22-16 down to Whitehaven, who are in second place, and I really thought we could pull off a win - but they dropped a goal and followed up with a try."

Moorby and his squad know Sunday could be the make-or-break day for their campaign, not just because they have a chance of doing the 'double' over Featherstone. Other clubs in the relegation battle also face tough games with Rochdale at Leigh while Halifax travel to Batley's Mount Pleasant ground.

"If we win and they both drop points the relegation battle will be wide open again with six games to go," Moorby said.

He also plans to through 19-year-old Academy player Jordan Ross into the squad for Sunday's game following a blistering performance on Wednesday evening.

"Danny Ekis picked up an injury last week and I was already thinking of giving Jordan a run out. His performance for the Academy clinched it, he is a good player with a good attitude and has earned his place in the squad," Moorby said.

Club chairman Neil Spencer has also called on fans to get behind the team an d quit moaning.

"I have heard one or two complaints, and there have even been people calling for Gary to go, but he has done a brilliant job with very limited resources.

"Our biggest problem might have been our success. It might be that we got promotion a year early because we have some tremendous young players coming through the Academy system," he said.

Players have been put on a financial bonus to keep the club in the LHF National League One. All players that are part of a winning team will get a share of the bonus pot -- but only if the club avoids relegation.

Mr Spencer and fellow director Colin Farrar, who rescued the club from oblivion two years ago, have also come in for criticism. This week he defended their record which had seen the club put on a sound financial footing.

"We have increased our work in the community, have Under-18 and Under-21 Academy teams, have improved facilities at the ground and developed links with Silsden FC who are using the ground during the winter months. Colin and myself think we are still on course to secure the long term future of the club," he said.

Now he has called on Bradford and Keighley councils - and other businessmen - to help buy land next to the ground. A car showroom, which also housed turnstiles to the ground, has come up for sale and the club wants to put in a bid.

"The capacity of the ground was reduced when we could no longer use those turnstiles but we want to bring them back into use. We need a friendly long term loan, find a benefactor, or raise a deposit. It will take an all-round effort from the town and help from the two local authorities as well.

"I want to hear from anyone who can help," Mr Spencer said.

Several years ago the club hoped to buy the showroom and use the buildings as offices and a club shop.

n Cougar players will be out in force next Wednesday for a Community v Cougars charity cricket match. The match has been organised by Keighley Cricket Academy and will be raising money for the Kidney Unit at St Lukes hospital. The game at Keighley CC's Lawkholme Lane ground, starts at 5.30pm.