BRADFORD Salem will be cursing their bad start to the Counties One Yorkshire season, with their brilliant current run continuing with a 40-19 win at rock-bottom Roundhegians.

Neil Spence's side picked up their fourth win in a row, and are just 10 points behind second-placed Wetherby and third-placed Keighley.

With only two games of the season to go though, their promotion charge has almost certainly come too late.

This is currently their best run of victories since their unbeaten 2014/2015 season, though the win looked in doubt early on during a back and forth start to the first half.

Facing chilly conditions in Roundhay, Salem were soon on the attack, and, after a good run by Sam Allan from a quick tap, skipper Christian Baines drove over from a lineout.

Jake Green's conversion gave the visitors a 7-0 lead after just two minutes of play.

However, Roundhegians responded almost immediately as second rower Sam Trutch forced his way over from close range to reduce the deficit to 7-5.

There was a further sign that it was going to be a high-scoring game as Baines charged through in midfield before sending Allan scampering in under the posts.

Green landed a simple conversion to give his side a 14-5 advantage after a quarter of an hour.

Salem looked likely to extend their lead but a wayward pass by centre Clayden Paranihi was intercepted by his opposite number Alex Jones.

The home man sprinted 65 metres to score a fine try, and he improved that himself to close the gap to 14-12 after 25 minutes.

Salem's response was swift as strong carries from Baines and Tom Cummins got them to within striking distance.

Following some excellent handling in the backs, Allan's break and offload put Green over for a try he converted himself to put the visitors 21-12 in front at the break.

It took just five minutes of the second half for Salem to earn themselves a bonus point as Cummins' neat offload enabled Green to score his second try.

He converted that score too, extending his side's lead to 28-12.

Less than five minutes later, things started to look ominous for Roundhegians as Ben Whitaker broke through to score an excellent try without a finger being laid on him.

Green added the extras to give the Heaton side a commanding 35-12 advantage with 30 minutes still to go.

Salem continued to dominate but it took until the 64th minute for them to add to their tally.

A clever switch of direction created enough space for winger Josh Charnock to score in the left corner to take the score to 40-12.

To their credit, the hosts did not throw in the towel and, after a period of pressure on their opponent's line, lock forward George Sutcliffe dived over for a try, which Jones improved to reduce the arrears to 40-19.

Salem had a number of scoring chances in the final stages with late replacement Simon Markey going closest.

But the veteran hooker was hauled down agonisingly short, referee Tony Smith blowing for time as Salem had to settle for a 40-19 win.

In the same division, Keighley's promotion dreams are in the balance after they conceded a last-gasp try to draw 21-21 against Huddersfield Laund Hill.

Baildon are now just a point off second in Counties Two Yorkshire with a scintillating 58-12 victory at Wheatley Hills, after the team directly above them, Harrogate Pythons, lost an epic encounter 40-36 to fourth-placed Wath Upon Dearne.

Bradford & Bingley are still rock-bottom of Regional Two North East, losing their 20th game out of 20, after being thumped 72-17 by Selby.

Cleckheaton were beaten 41-31 at Sandal in the pair's mid-table clash in Regional One North East.