Swinton Lions 18 Keighley Cougars 18 Cougars were forced to share the spoils with Swinton today after a remarkable encounter which saw all the points scored in the opening 40 minutes.

Jason Demetriou’s men had thumped the Lions at Cougar Park earlier in the season but they found them a tougher nut to crack in what was the first of three successive away games to end their regular campaign.

Keighley , who had already sealed their place in the play-offs and will end the campaign in sixth spot, led in the fourth minute when hooker James Feather darted over from close range and Danny Lawton converted.

The Lions hit back six minutes later after turning defence into attack as a kick towards the Swinton line was collected by Gavin Dodd, who kept the move flowing with a pass to Rob Foxen.

Foxen showed intelligence to find Martin Ainscough and he produced blistering pace to race 80 metres for a fine individual score, which Dodd converted.

Cougars steadied themselves and responded in style in the 17th minute when Sam Obst intercepted a loose pass to race 70 metres and score under the posts for a try, which Lawton again converted.

Obst added his second try in the 26th minute after prop Andy Shickell had driven at the heart of the Swinton defence to set him up for a touchdown under the posts, Lawton adding the extras.

Four minutes later, Swin-ton hit back when a kick by Chaz I’Anson ran loose over the try line, with Tom Arm-strong winning the race to score and Dodd again converting.

The scores were levelled three minutes before the break when I’Anson chipped forward and Dale Cunniffe scored under the posts, Dodd converting to tie the scores at 18-18.

Cougars almost regained the lead in the opening minutes of the second half but Jessie Sheriffe was denied in the left corner by some strong Swinton defence.

Dodd then made an excellent break up field, with players in support, but his final pass to Armstrong was forward and the opportunity was lost.

Neither side could fashion a winning try in the second half as defences held firm.

Elsewhere, Batley climbed into third place in the table after a 50-0 rout of struggling York at Mount Plea-sant, while Dewsbury won 34-22 at local rivals Hunslet.