Keighley Cougars aim to end the week on a high when they face Oldham Roughyeds in the Northern Rail Cup at Cougar Park on Sunday, 3pm kick-off.

A stunning 38-18 win over local rivals and Super League hopefuls Halifax last weekend raised a few disbelieving eyebrows in rugby league circles and has led to a strong chorus of Halifax fans calling for the head of their coach Anthony Farrell during the week.

But Keighley boss Peter Roe will not be getting too carried away yet after his side were on the wrong end of a 32-16 defeat at Rochdale on Wednesday evening, again in the Northern Rail Cup.

However, Wednesday evening's scoreline belied the battling qualities of a young and inexperienced squad which saw 19-year-olds Eric Johnson and Gavin Duff handed debuts.

Trialist Gareth Holmes was also given a run-out as Cougars tried to gain their second cup win of the week.

Boss Peter Roe said: "The last three games have been a tremendous boost for everyone at the club and rightly so.

"The win over West Bowling was hard earned in the Odsal mud but the Halifax win was just superb.

"Alex Brown picked up the Player of the Round award and again showed his pace against Rochdale on Wednesday."

Rochdale Hornets were made to scrap for every yard as Keighley soaked up early pressure before an Eaton penalty and Brown try gave them the lead.

Gavin Duffy then collected Nixon's smart pass to dive over for an Eaton converted try to lead the game 12-6 at the break.

Thirty seconds into the second half and Cougars were further in front when Gareth Holmes released Brown for his second try of the night.

The Cougars tired after that score though leaving Rochdale to run in four trys to seal the 32-16 win.

Said Roe: "I was disappointed with Wednesday night as I thought when we led 16-6 we were always in with a chance.

"But I think it was just their superior experience which won it in the end, not the way my lads played.

"It was a performance from which I don't have too many negatives and once again shows our significant youth policy bodes well for the future of the club."

Roe, director of rugby at Cougar Park, engineered something of a coup in beating stiff competition to sign hooker Eric Johnson.

And the Cougars boss obviously thinks highly of his new charge, snapped up from Oldham St Anne's after featuring for Great Britain U18s in the past.

Roe said: "Without putting too much pressure on Eric, I would compare him with Leeds' Rob Burrows.

"He is a superb signing for us, a real star of the future and we have had to work hard to get him.

"Oldham, Rochdale and Swinton were all after his signature. I don't know long we'll be able to keep him here as he's that good.

"Eric's signed a two-year contract though so if anyone does come in for him, they'll have to get their hands in their pockets."

Meanwhile, Matt Foster and Matt Bramald should be back in contention this weekend after injury although Roe has admitted his selection will be with one eye on the Challenge Cup game at Featherstone next Sunday afternoon.