West Park Bramhope 9 Keighley 24 Keighley took a giant step towards promotion in overcoming second placed West Park Bramhope as they strengthened their position at the top of Yorkshire League Two.

They now have a four-point lead over their rivals, with a game in hand and a vastly superior points differential.

As befiting a match between the top two sides, it was keenly fought throughout, with Keighley generally holding the advantage, their tally of two tries to nil reflecting the game as a whole. The heavier West Park pack, however, showed stubborn resistance and Keighley were never allowed to relax.

The solid front row of Rob Riley, David Pullen and Paul Sinfield provided the foundation upon which much of Keighley's forward effort was built. The home pack was never allowed to dominate and Keighley's hard working forwards never took a step backwards. Leigh Sugden and Peter Southgate were supreme in the lineouts and Mark Lister, Paul Salmon and Peter Schofield were consistently in the thick of the action.

As a spectacle the game often suffered at the hands of the over zealous referee Damien Gibson, whose strict interpretation of the laws relating to rucks and mauls led to a monotonous succession of scrummages, line outs and penalties. He was busy as early as the first minute when, straight from the kick off, he punished West Park at a ruck and Johnny Harrison gave Keighley the morale boosting lead.

It was, however, to be short lived. A break by the home full back Monkhouse took play to the Keighley 22 where the defenders strayed off side and Monkhouse levelled the scores with the ensuing penalty goal.

With both sides aware of the significance of the game there were signs of nervousness which led to unforced errors, but Keighley's composure was to some extent restored when Harrison's 40 metre penalty goal regained the lead.

Their backs were beginning to look dangerous with full back Carl Smith causing problems with some strong running from deep positions and he combined well with scrum half Scott Amos and No.8 Peter Schofield to take play deep into the West Park half. A powerful forward drive, spearheaded by Sinfield was held up over the line but Keighley maintained the pressure forcing an attacking lineout following which good work by Paul Salmon set up an assault by the backs.

A break by centre Kevin Young and a well timed pass by John Hinchliffe allowed wingman Matthew Cox to dive over in the corner almost on the stroke of half time, leaving Keighley with an interval 11-3 lead.

West Park began the second half in determined mood and Keighley did well to repel a series of threats on their line. Home scrum half Kilvington and No.6 Minns impressed and stand off Ingram regularly forced Keighley back with some towering touch kicks. They were, however, unable to breach Keighley's well organised defence and it was left to Monkhouse to reduce the arrears with another penalty goal.

The game was still wide open, but Keighley gradually regained control up front, forcing play to the West Park 22 from where Harrison added a welcome penalty goal. Further penalties by Monkhouse and Harrison were sufficient encouragement for both sides to retain aspirations of victory, but Keighley's superior fitness was beginning to tell. The sin binning of West Park's centre Melia for striking 15 minutes from time effectively saw off their chances. Keighley stubbornly retained possession and shrewd tactical kicking kept play at the safe end of the field.

With two minutes play remaining scrum half Scott Amos broke from a scrum in front of the posts before regathering his own delicate chip ahead to snatch an excellent try converted by Harrison to seal a memorable and hugely significant victory.