A splendid first-half from Whitehaven prompted a response from Championship title contenders Featherstone at the LEL Arena.
The Cumbrians had really impressed over the opening 40 minutes and thoroughly deserved their 12-10 lead.
The Rovers, taken to task at half-time, had gained the lead within two minutes of the re-start and it was something they were able to build-on and eventually win 46-24.
But the fact that they gave Rovers such a scare in the first-half, and were able to score four tries was encouraging for Haven who are still not sure of being safe from relegation.
Reviving London Broncos are now level on points (9) with Haven and they only have Workington Town (2) and Dewsbury Rams (4) below them.
The odds are still very much in their favour, although the two games with Town and a visit from London Broncos could still be crucial.
But in the meantime Whitehaven will know that if they play as they did in the first half against Featherstone they will be comfortably safe.
They scored two first-half tries – the opener on two minutes when Will Evans got in wide-out. Nikau Williams missed the conversion but added a penalty on 18 minutes.
When Featherstone drew level on 21 minutes with a Morgan Smith try, converted by Craig Hall the fans sensed the Rovers would take over.
Indeed they get in front with an unconverted try from Luke Briscoe but it didn’t open the floodgates.
Indeed Whitehaven pressured the visitors into a defensive mistake and Perry Singleton scored with Williams adding the conversion on the half hour.
But the second half was different. Featherstone had more go-forward, used the ball better and there was more intensity about their play.
Joey Leilua, Brett Ferres and Smith scored tries, all converted by Hall and within ten minutes Fev led 28-12.
To their credit Whitehaven stormed back and Dion Aiye went in for a try, converted by Williams.
Back came Featherstone with tries from Josh Hardcastle and Broadbent before Aiye scored his second and Williams added the conversion.
It was the final word from Fev as Marty Wildie raced away from half-way to score with Hall converting.
