Keighley gained some much needed breathing space as they beat Pontefract 19-15 to move three points clear of their West Yorkshire rivals in Yorkshire Division One.

Despite, a poor first half, a couple of tries from Rich Tillotson inspired a great comeback from Dan McGee's men at Moor Lane to keep his side 12th with another huge game against 11th placed Bridlington, this Saturday.

Pontefract's strategy was simple, use short passes to get the ball to the forwards who could drive up the middle.

Keighley combated this tactic by tackling well and being sensible enough not to commit too many players to the breakdown.

Eventually, the home side forced a line out near the 22 and a superb drive put the defence on the back foot, allowing back rower Sam Millard to shear off the maul and score a well deserved try in the corner, which Liam Kay converted.

Keighley responded with good line out work from James Cunliffe and Tom Willson to gain steady possession, providing outside half Grayson Tihema the opportunity to gain good field position.

However, the bigger Ponte forwards and sharp backs snuffed out any concerted attacking play.

The hosts added to their lead early in the second half when a foray down the left led to the ball being recycled quickly to outside half Kay to touch down in the corner.

This seemed to wake the visitors up as scrum half George Marshall and outside half Grayson Tihema started combining well.

A number of darting runs began to pressure the opposition defence and force them to concede ground.

A good charge by Keighley's number eight Will Mclaughlin and a chip through by Tihema led to centre Rich Tillotson going over the line, full back Olly Mitchell added the two points.

Ponte using good driving play forced their way into Keighley territory, although a good scramble defence kept them out, their only reward was a penalty for outside half Kay.

It was all to play for in the last 15 minutes but it was Keighley who jumped into the ascendancy.

Good work from winger Chris Stead forced the defence to close in, allowing space out wide for Tihema to execute an inch perfect cross kick to wing forward Tom Willson, who grounded superbly.

Keighley followed by playing the perfect counter attack when the compact wing forward Lucas Uren stole the ball at a breakdown.

Quickly defence turned into attack and with the help of some quick hands, centre Tillotson was able to race in for his second try.

Mitchell converted to give the visitors a two point lead going into the final exchanges, where McGee's men did brilliantly to fend off Ponte's last minute drives and gain a crucial victory.