Keighley Cougars 14, Whitehaven 18

Carl Sice struck in the final minute of the game today to hand Keighley their first defeat in six league matches.

The Whitehaven hooker sealed a dramatic 18-14 win to lift the Cumbrians within three points of the Cougars in the Co-operative Championship One promotion race.

But Cougars chief Jason Demetriou believes his side should have taken the points themselves.

He said: “We were just poor with the ball. We made 18 errors, and you just can’t do that.

“We put ourselves in front at 14-12 with not long to go and then just conceded penalties and made mistakes.

“Defensively we were outstanding but we just didn’t score enough points.

“We dominated the second half and pinned them in the corners for long spells. They couldn’t get out of their own 20 and were making 15 to 20 metres in five tackles.

“The wind made it hard but the errors we made were not necessarily bad passes but carrying the ball into contact.

“We’re a strong team and we will take it on the chin.”

After going behind to an early Mal Wiper try, converted by Lewis Palfrey, Ryan Benjafield touched down to cut the gap.

Haven extended their lead once more when Paul Cullnean scored before the break, Palfrey converting, but the hosts came on strong in the second half.

Danny Lawton and Andy Shickell both scored to make it 14-12 but they just couldn’t hold out.

“We need to get our shape back in attack,” said Demetriou.

“We looked ordinary and always seemed to be searching for the big play.

“We scored a really good try before half-time, and that’s what we’re about, but then we got very negative and tried to shut up shop, rather than putting the game to bed.”