KEIGHLEY Cougars survived a close call, holding out for a narrow 16-14 victory at Hunslet in the Betfred Challenge Cup on Sunday.

It was a close call at South Leeds Stadium on a day where the result could have gone either way. It’s knockout football with no second chances and Hunslet took it to the wire.

Things started well for the visiting side, Alix Stephenson going over from close range within 10 minutes.

Cougars attack built and Robbie Storey found his way over the line with Lewis Young on kicking duty.

It was set for set in a scruffy error strewn affair before Sam Hallas was binned on 35 minutes.

The home side scored off a neat touch from Adam Ryder and took it to 12-4 at half time.

Just over 10 minutes in to the second half saw Lewis Young harshly red carded for an alleged punch in the tackle and Cougars down to 12.

Neat hands saw Storey poke his nose through the line only for the full back to make a superb one on one tackle, but a quick play of the ball saw Aaron Levy over from close range to take it t0 16-4 and that was the end of the scoring for Keighley.

Hunslet clawed their way back into the game and found plenty of space for Brad Wheeler to go over in the corner.

The arm wrestle continued and both sides probed the try line only for Joe Burton to find space on the wing and take it to 16-14.

Both teams tried craftily to seal the game but to no avail with Cougars holding out and they are in the draw for the next round.

Keighley Cougars are back in Betfred Championship league action this Sunday when travel to play at the Halifax Panthers, a match that will kick off at 3pm.