Young Alex Brown's stock continued to rise as he bagged two tries in another positive performance for the Cougars.

Peter Roe's side may have gone down

32-16 to their loftier rivals in the Northern Rail Cup but they were level until the hour mark and gave the hosts a real fright.

Winger Brown yesterday won the competition's Player of the Round award for

his impressive display against Halifax on Sunday and last night the teenager shone again as Cougars went close.

The player, plucked from amateurs Huddersfield Sharks before Christmas, touched down twice and debutant full back Gavin Duffy also got on the sheet as an enthusiastic Keighley team pushed

the LHF Healthplan National League One outfit hard.

Roe said: "The kid Alex Brown is still very much new to the pro game and still has a fair bit to learn but he's making real strides and adapting great.

"Every opponent he comes up against, whoever it is, he gives them a really tough time.

"For an 18-year-old who was playing amateur just three months ago, he is so undaunted and we're delighted with how he's going."

Roe praised his whole squad as they backed up with their third match in a week.

Following on from wins over West Bowling in the Challenge Cup and a fine success over Fax, it seemed like they could cause another upset at Spotland.

The visitors dominated in the first half but tired in the final quarter and Rochdale's added class came good.

"We could have gone on to win at that hour stage," said Roe.

"We were 16-16 but in the end we had to do too much through ill-discipline.

"I was very pleased with how we played though. In that first half, all Rochdale could do was get to the last tackle and kick it away.

"We did all the approach work and asked the questions but the penalty count finished 10-4 in their favour and we did tire.

"I think those last two matches caught up with us but I was very proud of the lads. There was so many positives."

Roe also handed a first appearance to Bulls Senior Academy prop Neil Cherryholme, after he arrived on loan from Odsal, and one of their own youth products, Gareth Holmes, made his bow in the centre as Cougars rested some key individuals.

Eric Johnson, 19, signed from Oldham St Annes on Friday, came off the bench for his debut, while Phil Stephenson and Richard Knight both gave typically industrious displays in the pack, Barry Eaton adding two goals.

The Cougars, who atoned for a disappointing 46-18 home defeat against the same opposition last month, complete their Northern Rail Cup campaign with a home tie against Oldham on Sunday.