In a dramatic finish at Derwent Park Workington Town pipped North Wales Crusaders 20-18 with a penalty after the final hooter.
Teenage half-back Ciaran Walker landed the angled 25 yarder to snatch the victory and leave the Welsh side gutted.
It was a game of two distinct halves as the Crusaders built an 18-0 lead inside 33 minutes, while Town responded impressively in the second half.
Crucially Town had scored right on the first-half hooter when Matty Henson followed a little kick through from Walker to touchdown behind the posts.
That converted try, along with coach Anthony Murray’s strong words at the break, had the desired effect on Town who were much better on the resumption.
Their completion rate had only been 50 per cent in the first period and it was over 80 per cent for the second. They were much quicker and more positive in what they did and were able to turn the game round.
But Crusaders were the better side in the first-half, taking the lead on 11 minutes when prop Jordan Andrade crashed over from short range and Danny Moss put over the conversion.
Moss added a penalty on 18 minutes and then two tries inside six minutes gave them a clear advantage.
Full-back Owain Abel showed great footwork to raise past three defenders and dive in for the first and then hooker Pat Rainford flung himself over the line from a play-the-ball.
Moss only converted one of them, crucial in the final analysis.
But then right on half-time Henson gave Town a lifeline with his try, converted by Walker.
The second-half saw Town dominate possession and Crusaders defended manfully, but on 63 minutes the home side got their breakthrough with Henson diving in for the try which Walker improved.
Time was running-out when Town moved the ball smartly to the left and top try scorer Sean Sabutey dived over in the corner.
Walker’s touchline conversion levelled the scores and as Town pushed for the winner the hooter sounded as they were awarded a penalty.
The youngster made no mistake to spark euphoric celebrations among the Town team – and a gutted response from their opponents who had been close to their first League One win.
