Keighley Cougars 16, Sheffield Eagles 16

A last-minute Danny Jones penalty saw the gutsy Cougars end their losing streak in dramatic fashion against Sheffield Eagles today in the Co-operative Championship.

Having lost all of their previous four league games, they battled hard in tough conditions to secure two well-deserved points.

The Eagles raced into an early lead when Alex Szostak cut an angled line to score wide out on the left within five minutes, although Mitchell Stringer's conversion fell short.

Despite their relative lack of possession, the Cougars did show the odd flourish in attack, and George Rayner was denied the chance to close the gap when the ball was knocked from his hands with the line in sight.

From the resultant penalty, Jonny Presley went close before Tom Burton was forced into touch on the right wing.

And ten minutes before the break, a loose ball gave Daley Williams the chance to run into open field.

Both he and Presley found their routes to the line blocked but the resultant pressure gave the Cougars a penalty, which Danny Jones opted to kick, cutting the gap to two.

But, having clawed their way back into it, Keighley suffered a blow four minutes before the break when Sam Barlow drove over from close range, Brendan Lindsay improving.

It didn't help that Jamaine Wray had his touchdown ruled out two minutes later for a knock-on, and the Eagles looked in good shape to add to the score early in the second half.

Chances went begging and they refused to take the two when given a penalty in front of the posts - a decision that was soon punished.

Despite being given a string of penalties against them, the Cougars came back in rousing fashion and Andy Shickell blasted over off Wray's short ball, Jones adding the extras.

Then, on the hour, they roared into the lead as Gavin Duffy took the chip from Presley to touch down under pressure, Jones improving.

But the pendulum swung back in Sheffield's favour when Craig Cook chased down the kick through to score, and Stringer added the conversion to set up a tense final ten minutes.

A gritty effort got Keighley into position and, although the rigid Eagles defence did well to hold them out for repeat sets, a penalty in front of the posts allowed Jones to seal a draw.

Cougars: George Rayner; Craig Moss, Tom Burton, Daley Williams, Gavin Duffy; Jonny Presley, Danny Jones; Andy Shickell, James Feather, Ryan Benjafield, Chris Baines, Will Cartledge, Carl Hughes. Interchange: Jamaine Wray, James Haythornthwaite, Brendon Rawlins, Nathan Massey.

Attendance: 927