Sheffield 25, Cougars 24 - COUGARS suffered a cruel one-point defeat as a last minute drop goal snatched away their hopes of a place in the draw for the fifth round of the Challenge Cup.

After fighting their way back from 24-8 down to level the scores they looked set to grab the win that would have really set the season alight.

Eagles were in total disarray as the Cougars continually pounded their line, but the cool head of Sheffield captain Richard Goddard denied Keighley the victory their determination deserved.

What made the defeat even harder to swallow was the fact that Cougars could - and should - have had the game sewn up long before those fateful final moments.

They allowed Sheffield to dominate large periods of the first half and winger Andy Robinson suffered a nightmare game as he was teased by high balls from Goddard as he stared into the setting sun.

Moorby's men had started in spectacular fashion. They collected the kick-off, Ramshaw landed a 40-20 kick and after forcing their way to the Eagles try line Simeon Hoyle forced his way over from the play-the-ball. Paul Ashton could not make the conversion, and also missed two more, either of which could have swung the game.

Fullback Andy Poynter replied for Sheffield and Goddard added a second with Gavin Brown adding both kicks.

In the closing stages of the half Cougars hit back with a tremendous period of power play. Karl Smith showed real determination to stretch out his arm and put the ball down on the right. Robinson was clear and certain to score, but was pulled back for a forward pass after a classic break by David 'Pit Bull' Foster who edged my man of the match nomination for his trademark ferocious tackling and an increasingly adventurous attitude in attack.

He is player who never gives less than 100 per cent, and the bigger the opposition the better he seems to like it.

At just 12-8 down the game was truly in the balance, but Cougars had turned to face the sun and Sheffield took advantage. The first of several cross-field kicks was badly misjudged allowing Goddard to collect and stroll over.

Their second try of the half also came from an identical kick which resulted in Brown going in under the posts and giving himself his easiest kick of the afternoon.

At 24-8 it looked as if the game was beyond the recovery powers of the Cougars, and last season they would have crumbled. But the 2003 team is made of sterner stuff.

Oliver Wilkes made it over the try line but was denied by the referee before Ian Sinfield forced his way through, and Ashton completed the conversion.

As the Cougar momentum increased Chris Wainwright completed a sparkling move set up by Ricky Helliwell. The kick again slid wide, but at 24-18 the game was well and truly alive again. The Eagles were in disarray and the crowd sensed that if Keighley could keep up their momentum they had a real chance off an impressive victory.

The wave of red,green and white Cougar shirts swept forward again and skipper James Rushton pounced after being set up by Foster.

Ashton bounced the conversion over off the crossbar, but it was enough to bring the scores level and set up a classic final period.

Once again Cougars drove forward on the attack, but instead of pressing home they set up for an attempted drop goal. Ashton was harried before he could get a kick in, and a second attempt was far too rushed to be effective.

It is easy to be wise after the event, but Cougars were in control and may have enjoyed more success going for the try line.

Eagles also missed their first attempt at a field goal, but a sloppy pass as Cougars ran the ball out gave them a second opportunity -- and this time Goddard seemed to have acres of space and plenty of time to pick his spot.

It was a cruel finale to a classy Cougar performance which at least deserved to have earned a replay. Now they need to carry the fighting spirit through into this weekend's Arriva Cup game against Batley.