A controversial sending off and a sin-binning shortly afterwards were significant moments that cost Workington Town in their big League One game at home to North Wales Crusaders.
Right on half-time Jordan Burns was controversially shown a red card after making a tackle and six minutes into the second-half Brad Brennan was sin-binned.
Although Town, down to 11 men, did not concede in that ten minute period the effort needed under such a handicap took its toll in the end.
They had led 22-12 at half-time and the only points for Town in the second-half were from a Carl Forber penalty, while the Welsh side came through to win 24-28.
It was like a blast from the past in the first-half for Town tries from Key and Southward – the grandsons of club greats Andy and Ike.
Town had started well and took the lead with a try from Jack Stephenson, converted by Forber and they doubled their lead when JJ Key went in for the second try which Forber again converted.
The Crusaders hit back when Town made a mistake at the re-start and from a scrum Ben Evans went over with Dan Moss adding the extras.
Then on 22 minutes Town scored from a Crusaders missed tackle and keeping the ball alive well Jake Bradley crashed over for the try which Forber converted.
Five minutes later it was Billy Southward who turned the clock back, finishing off a move with a flourish in the corner to collect his first Workington try but Forber couldn’t convert.
It was a handy lead but the Crusaders came back on 33 minutes to reduce the deficit to 10 points. Pat Ah Van went in from a good pass by Moss who added the conversion.
But after Town lost Burns for the second half and Brennan had done his sin-bin stint, the home side still led 22-12.
That changed on the hour, shortly after Brennan’s return when Chris Barrett scored under the posts for Moss to convert. Soon after they went in front for the first time at 24-22 but 10 minutes from time Forber levelled up with a penalty.
A point at that stage would have been a good achievement for Town but just as they had in the home fixture the Crusaders snatched it at the death when Cole Oakley got over for the winning try.
Town now have three games left – a four pointer next week at Midlands Hurricanes; a gimmee at home to Newcastle and finish with the toughest test of all at Oldham.
