Workington Town collected another two crucial points in their battle for the top four in League One.
But the 25-22 home win over Keighley Cougars was decidedly closer than it had looked at the half-way stage.
Town had taken a 19-0 lead into the dressing room with Keighley enjoying enough possession but unable to break a tough, disciplined home defence.
However that changed in the second-half when the Cougars found more penetration and finishing power in their attacks to give Town some genuine concerns.
It hadn’t looked like that in the first half when the home side scored three converted tries and a drop goal from Jake Carter.
Rio Corkill was first over the Keighley line after 11 minutes and then it was new signing Mason Lewthwaite who exploded onto the scene.
The debutant won’t forget his first game in a Town shirt as he showed why he left Whitehaven as their top try scorer.
He crossed twice in four minutes to extend the home lead with Carter adding his drop goal between the two conversions.
Keighley coach Alan Kilshaw obviously came up with some wise or angry words during the interval because the Cougars came back strongly on the resumption.
Junior Sa’u scored in the first minute and Brad England went in under the posts after 50 minutes with Isaac Farrell only able to convert the second. But now trailing 19-10 Keighley had a foothold in the game.
Fortunately Corkill was next to score for Town and with Carter converting the lead was out to 15 points.
They say it isn’t over until the fat lady sings, well she was clearing her throat when Keighley scored twice inside six minutes to set-up a nervous final few minutes.
Oli Burton went over in the 66th and 72nd minutes and with Matty Beharrell converting both there were just three points in it. It was too close for comfort but Town held on.
