Unlucky Crusaders succumbed to a converted try in the last seconds of injury time to be denied a share of the points at the impressive Lawrence Batley Sports Centre at Huddersfield.

Until that final score they had looked like the more likely winners. If it hadn't been for some elementary unforced errors at critical moments they would surely have won.

After repelling early assaults by the heavy Huddersfield forwards a long touch finding kick by John Harrison drove play deep into the home half. A sustained attack on the Huddersfield line followed.

Barging runs by Pete Southgate and Tony Fella were halted and No.8 Andy Bennett forced his way over but was unable to ground the ball. Huddersfield briefly responded though stand off Kelvin Gillespie whose long accurate touch kicking frequently re-established play in the Keighley half from where centre Matt Garrety and full back Jamie Marsden were each off target with penalty goal attempts.

Keighley were the more imaginative side with both forwards and backs running with purpose and after 25 minutes they were rewarded with a try from wingman Gary Davey who latched onto a cleverly flighted kick to the corner by John Harrison before dancing inside opposing winger Matt Larder to touch down.

Inspired by their success they continued to pressurise the home line but, as so often this season, their efforts failed to produce the results they deserved. For the second time the ball was driven to the line by the pack, but the Huddersfield defence prevented the touch down.

Early in the second half Garrety reduced Keighle's lead with a penalty goal, but Davey soon restored the advantage with a similar effort. Huddersfield were beginning to look more dangerous and a slick move from a scrum on the Keighley 22 metre line led to full back Marsden crossing for a try.

Garrety added a penalty goal to give his side the lead for the first time.

Harrison coolly tied the scores again with a well-judged penalty goal.

The retirement through injury of two of Huddersfield's strongest forwards late in the game gave the Keighley pack the advantage in the set pieces, although an injury to prop Paul Sinfield was a blow.

Crusaders were unable to take full advantage with careless handling costing them valuable possession. A stray pass by Tony Fella denied wingman Matt Gaffney a scoring chance.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw as injury time commenced. Even though Gerraty had been unlucky to see a penalty goal bounce off the cross bar, it was the home supporters who were more anxiously checking their watches as Keighley camped in the Huddersfield half.

Fortune sometimes, however, fails to favour the brave. A long fly kick took play to the Keighley 22. Huddersfield seized possession from a scrum and with the last throw of the dice wingman Tim Horner dived over in the corner for the winning try. Gerraty's conversion signalled the end of the game.