In a thrilling Challenge Cup-tie Workington Town were pipped at the post 24-20 at Doncaster.
The Dons scored a converted try two minutes from the end to rob Town of a place in the fourth round draw.
It was another highly encouraging display from Anthony Murray’s side – their first defeat of the season against a side being tipped as one of League One’s front runners.
Australian speedster Sean Sabutey was Town’s match star with a hat-trick of tries while Cieran Walker, doubtful until Thursday because of illness, contributed a try and two goals.
Town led 12-0 after only 18 minutes before the Dons pulled level by half-time. Town were in front again 16-12 after 51 minutes and were ahead 20-18 with a quarter of an hour to go.
The opening try had come on 15 minutes and stemmed from Town’s first serious threat of the game. Jack Stephenson made the break and then popped the ball over his shoulder to Walker who survived an ankle tap to reach the line. He added the conversion.
They responded with a second try on 17 minutes when they were able to work the ball wide to Sabutey who showed real pace to get away and score underneath the posts for Walker to convert.
Town defended really strongly when Doncaster started to apply pressure but after three repeat sets Tom Halliday burst through to score on 34 minutes and Connor Robinson converted.
It was Robinson who got his side level from the last play of the half. His little stabbed kick came back to him off a Town boot and he gathered to scramble over the line and then add the conversion.
Eleven minutes into the second-half and Town regained the lead. Walker put a kick into the corner and it was Sabutey who was able to get on the end of it.
There was a similar way in for Doncaster when they hit back ten minutes later. Robinson’s kick for the corner was collected by full-back Elliott Hall who scored. Robinson’s conversion edged the hosts back in front.
But five minutes later this topsy turvy game changed again. Good fast attacking play gave Sabutey the room he needed to make the line for an unconverted try and a 20-18 lead.
It was nip and tuck but finally, on 78 metres, with Town on the attack Halliday took an interception and raced 80 metres for the winning try which Robinson converted.
A great effort in defeat for Town and much to feel optimistic about going into the League One campaign.
