Cougars 28, Oldham 32 - NEW rules cost Cougars as Oldham scrambled a last minute winner - after the final hooter had sounded.

Changes to rugby league rules this season mean the game continues after the final hooter, until the next breakdown in play.

With the game locked at 28-all both teams had been desperately searching for a winning score.

When the hooter sounded it looked as if they would have to share the points, but Oldham decided to run the ball, and one missed tackle handed them victory.

Wayne Corcoran took on the Cougar defence and if he had been brought down the game would have ended, but his run looked to turn into a slow-motion move as he broke through the final desperate tackle and got the touchdown.

"It was a heartbreaking way to loose, and at first I thought our boys had frozen when the hooter sounded, but I have watched it again on video and it was all down to one missed tackle," said director of rugby, Peter Roe.

But the game should have been sewn up long before those final agonising moments.

Just before half time the home side were cruising. They had a comfortable 16-0 lead and looked firmly in command. Certainly no one would have guessed that Cougars were an NL2 outfit taking on a NL1 team with a place in Super League in their sights.

Once again it was the old head of captain, and player-coach, Barry Eaton, who inspired the team to that early lead. He sent in Richard Knight for the opening try.

Neil Cherryholme piled on the pressure with his first try for the club as the Cougars looked to grow in confidence.

The lead was extended further when substitute Eric Johnson also scored his debut try.

Johnson, a 19-year-old hooker signed from Oldham St Annes, showed real promise. He is a BARLA Under-18 international and has been tipped as a genuine star of the future by Roe.

With the clock ticking down to half time a high ball caught out the Cougar defence and offered the Oldham side a lifeline. Corocoran pounced and scored their first points.

Former Cougar coach Steve Deakin, who is back at Oldham after being sacked by French club Catalan Dragons just before they took their place in Super League, must have been relieved to have broken the deadlock. His half time talk clearly warned his side to target Eaton.

In the second 40 minutes the Cougar skipper could not be as effective and the Roughyeds clawed their way back into the game.

They scored two tries in 10 minutes with Chris Maye and Mark Roberts touching down to edge them into a 22-16 lead.

New Zealander, Scott Nixon, who is continue to grow in confidence and fit into Roe's young squad, was having his best game so far for the club. He took advantage of a penalty and forced his way over the try line from close range put Keighley back ahead with a 28-22 lead.

The game was poised on a knife-edge and Chris Campbell out-paced the scrambling defence to score in the corner. With the score at 28-26 full back Gareth Barber was successful with the touchline conversion to draw level.

Cougars couldn't find the vital breakthrough at the other end, and Corcoran made the vital final touchdown to break the hearts of home fans.

However, Roe had made it clear before the start of the season that the Northern Rail Cup was little more than an opportunity to build his squad and prepare for the league campaign. He has seen his team grow in stature, introduced a string of young amateur players, and has pushed many of the NL1 teams all the way.

He now has real confidence for the league season, but must first negotiate Sunday's Challenge Cup clash at Featherstone.