Whitehaven 17, Keighley Cougars 4 - Cougars coach Steve Deakin must be hoping that the inspirational Martin Wood makes a faster than expected return from injury.

Once again his play-making skills were sorely missed as Keighley nosedived to their second successive Northern Ford Premiership defeat and third of the season.

Wood is expected to be out of action for about a month with his knee injury and Cougars have to hope that they can find the inspiration they so sadly lacked again in his absence if they are to maintain their title challenge.

Whitehaven won the game in the second half when they scored 11 unanswered points.

But Cougars were not helped by having two tries disallowed and seeing substitute Chris Ross sent off after 52 minutes for a high tackle..

There was no real indication of what was to come when Keighley took the lead in the 17th minute.

From what was effectively their first real attack, Danny Seal broke clear and raced 45 metres to score.

Graeme Hallas missed the conversion which underlined again why Wood - the team's goalkicker - is so sorely missed.

Steve Kirkbride kicked a penalty for Whitehaven before Cougars thought they had scored again.

Seal went over for what he thought was his second try but the referee spotted a forward pass in the build up and ruled it out.

Jonathan Wignall cut through the Cougars defence just before the break to put Whitehaven ahead.

Craig Murdock had a try disallowed for offside before Ross was dismissed.

Whitehaven, seeing their chance, made their numerical advantage count.

Aaron Lester and Ian Devlin ran in tries for Whitehaven while Kirkbride landed both conversions and a penalty.

It was a disappointing result and a lack-lustre performance which coach Deakin had to reflect on as his side made the long journey home.