Workington Town were beaten 22-16 at home by Dewsbury Rams, the team most likely to accompany them into League One for next season.
At one point they looked as though they could salvage the game as they fought back to 16-18 but a late try clinched it for the Rams.
When Matty Henson got over for Town in then 57th minute and Carl Forber converted the momentum seemed to be with the Cumbrians just two points adrift.
But they couldn’t get in again, despite some decent opportunities particularly when Connor Davies looked to be through but the pass was too high and was spilled.
Dewsbury weathered the storm to come back and score the crucial try two minutes from the end through Aiden McGowan.
Dewsbury had forced the pace in the opening quarter and opened the scoring on 22 minutes after a long spell of pressure.
Jon-Luke Kirby stormed over from close range and player coach Paul Sykes added the conversion.
Town were getting back into it just before half-time when Lewis Carr made a smart interception and went the length of the field to score the second try which Sykes converted.
Four minutes into the second-half and Town were on the scoreboard as the hard-working Conor Fitzsimmons went over from close range but Forber missed the kick.
Town were caught, however, soon afterwards when Dale Ferguson stormed over for the third Dewsbury try which was converted by Sykes.
Then a great spell by the home side turned the game on its head as both Ethan Bickerdike and Hansen crossed inside four minutes and two conversion by Forber made it a two point game.
Both sides battled hard to get the next score but it was McGowan who made it out wide.
Town now have a trip to Featherstone on Sunday before the final home game with Workington a week later, before they finish their Championship campaign at York.
