Batley Bulldogs 40, Keighley Cougars 16 - The Cougars' Arriva Trains Cup campaign was derailed at the final hurdle on a frustrating afternoon at Mount Pleasant.

Needing victory against National League Division One opposition to make the final eight, Keighley's hopes were destroyed by a second-half try blitz.

This leaves Gary Moorby's men to take stock before going again in four days time when the league campaign kicks off with a visit to Hunslet.

"I don't think the scoreline was a true reflection of the game," said Moorby, whose side have once again failed to record a third win on the trot, an important milestone for the coach.

"We held them for a lot of the game and we came away with people telling me we were the better side.

"But things don't always work out the way you want them to and we were hammered on the penalty count. I think a lack of consistency from the referee proved costly to us."

The Cougars had opened the scoring in front of nearly 800 at Batley with Matt Foster chasing down a Jason Ramshaw grubber kick.

The Bulldogs came back with two penalties before team captain James Rushforth made the most of a superb defence-

splitting kick from club captain

Ramshaw.

At the break the home side were 16-10 ahead, but it was a very open game.

An Oliver Wilkes rampaging run down the left kept the home side within reach at 22-16 before Paul Storey's men flexed their muscles and ran away with the game.

Batley qualify for the quarter-finals in second place behind Dewsbury, who the Cougars roundly defeated last month, but Keighley can take much heart from their third-placed finish - the highest of the National League Division Two sides.

"It is frustrating," continued Moorby.

"But we have to put this game behind us and concentrate on the task in hand, which is promotion.

"There have been a lot of promising signs in this competition and the lads can be proud of some of their results.

"Doncaster have failed to qualify for the next stage, and they can thank us for that (the Cougars beat them in the season's first game).

"The lads are a bit down after this game but we have to put it bed and begin preparing for Good Friday.

"The league is what this year is all about."

l Hull Kingston Rovers rattled up the points to secure the last place in the quarter-finals of the Arriva Trains National League Cup.

Rovers beat London Skolars 86-0 at Craven Park in their final group match to go above Doncaster on points difference and finish runners-up to Featherstone.

Barrow and Dewsbury also gained crucial wins to join Whitehaven, Salford, Batley and Leigh in the draw for the last eight, which will be made on Easter Monday.