GATESHEAD THUNDER 16 Keighley COUGARS 31: For the first hour or so the Cougars turned in one of their worst performances of the season.

But they had the resilience, character and commitment to turn it on when necessary to overcome a ten-point deficit and make sure of their last two league points of the National League Two season.

The catalyst for victory was the introduction of Karl Smith for skipper James Rushforth.

Andy Robinson was moved into the centre and he sent Smith over for the Cougars' last two tries, turning a 16-10 deficit into a 20-16 lead.

Paul Ashton failed with the final conversion, but landed a late drop goal to complete the scoring.

The Cougars had to really hang on for victory though as Gateshead tried desperately to earn a reward for their hard work.

Two late despairing tackles by that man Smith saved the Cougar line. Then, as the clock ticked down, Paul Thorman kicked for brother Neil and he looked to have scored only to lose the ball over the line, literally on the final hooter.

Cougar coach Gary Moorby was critical of his team, saying: "We are own worst enemies at times, we just made too many errors and made really hard work of it.

"It was one of those games though - we were going to finish third whether we won or lost and in the end we had to graft hard for victory.

"Karl Smith came off the bench and he was obviously eager. We have a bit of competition for places now and I know that it hurts Karl when he's not in the side because he's a Keighley kid."

The Cougars now play Hunslet at Cougar Park next Sunday and will to have pick up their completion rates if they are to progress in the competition.

But Moorby is confident, saying: "On our day we can beat anybody. Hunslet have to come to us and I'm sure it will be a good game." The Cougars trailed 16-6 at the break. All they could manage was a Dave Foster try, converted by Ashton.

Their defence and offence picked up after half-time and they were given encouragement with Ollie Wilkes powering over, Ashton again converting to make it 16-12.

Then Karl Smith, playing his first game for over a month was in the right place at the right time to make sure Keighley's league season which started with the Arriva Trains trophy nine months ago, finished on a high.