Whitehaven were beaten 28-22 by Swinton Lions at Heywood Road, Sale in their second warm-up game of the pre-season build-up.
It means they will go to Leigh Centurions next Sunday on the back of two defeats, having lost 18-14 at Workington Town last week.
Yet after 52 minutes the Cumbrians had fashioned a 22-12 lead with a barn-storming try by Kieran Hudson on his Haven debut and Alex Bishop had converted.
In a tight first-half Whitehaven had 16-12 with three tries, two of them converted by Bishop.
They had taken the lead on eight minutes when Liam Cooper broke, linked with new Australian centre Will Evans and took the return pass to score with Bishop’s conversion added.
Ten minutes later the Lions were level when Louis Brogan managed to find a gap after the Cumbrians had defended two successive sets on their own line. Former Haven player Dan Abram converted.
Two minutes later Haven were breached again this time after a break by Abram finished off by Lewis Else. Abram converted.
The sides were level again on 26 minutes with a well-taken try by Nikau Williams as he danced through the Swinton defence to score and Bishop added the extras.
Three minutes before half-time Whitehaven were back in front. Evans fed Dave Eccleston out wide and he did really well to swing round in the tackle and touchdown. This time Bishop’s conversion effort fell short.
So when Hudson powered over on 52 minutes and Bishop added the extras it looked to be the perfect platform for Whitehaven to compete a victory.
But they were unable to add another point and it was Swinton who fought back gamely to win the spoils.
Three minutes after Hudson’s try the Lions roared back. New full-back Geronimo Doyle dropped a high ball and when Swinton kicked through Richard Lepori, another former Haven player, was there to score. This time Jack Hansen landed the conversion.
Once again Swinton scored another try in quick succession to regain the lead. On 59 minutes a jinking run by Ben Hayes carried him through for the try which Hansen converted.
Haven though they had edged back in front on 69 minutes when Tom Walker forced his way over but the try was disallowed for offside.
Then five minutes from time Mitch Cox went in for the final try to clinch the game for Swinton despite late pressure from Haven.
