Whitehaven were unable to make it three wins in a row as they went under 28-18 at Keighley.
The Cumbrians were looking to follow-up their wins over Sheffield and Widnes but just fell short against a determined Keighley side who were completing a Championship double over Jonty Gorley’s men.
Trialist Jake Carter was introduced on the bench for his second Whitehaven debut while ex-Kells amateur Ross Ainley started in the front row.
It was the home side who started off best and Whitehaven had to deal with an early goal-line drop out but Keighley were soon on the score-sheet when Stephenson scored an unconverted try.
A second try followed on 18 minutes, this time from Agroro before Whitehaven had to make a substitution as Daniel Spencer-Tonks had to be helped off the field and replaced by Perry Singleton.
That was followed by a third Keighley try from Roby, again unconverted, or the Cougars could have been starting to go clear.
Haven needed a try before the break and they got it when Dave Ecclestone got over and Josh Rourke’s conversion meant that although it was three tries to one, the Cumbrians only trailed 12-6 at the break.
It might have been a blank first-half for goal points as far as Keighley were concerned but they took advantage of two early penalty opportunities and Brad Walker landed them to stretch the lead to 16-6.
But when they added a fourth try through Robson the conversion was missed and Whitehaven set about reducing the arrears.
Ryan King, who had started at half-back, charged over for a Haven try which Rourke improved and at 20-12 there was a glimmer of hope.
That was swiftly extinguished by a fifth Keighley try which was converted, before Whitehaven came back with a Rourke try which he converted.
Then right on full-time King was shown a yellow card and Walker added the penalty as Keighley were able to close it out for the win.
