Northern 15 Keighley 13

Keighley had to settle for yet another losing bonus point after deserving to win this tussle.

The visitors struggled to come to terms with the referee’s interpretation of breakdown play early on as Northern scored a penalty from Donal Collins.

Northern went on the attack but were unable to break a resolute defence.

Keighley’s Bob Clarke was stopped inches short of the line but the pressure paid off with a penalty for Alex Brown.

Northern returned to the attack but were only able to gain two further penalties from Collins, while Keighley had a player yellow-carded for offside.

Despite being a man down, Keighley scored a try after the break when Leigh Sugden finished off a driving maul and Brown converted.

Clarke and Marco Ferrazzano came within inches of adding to their tally before Northern regained the lead with a penalty from Collins.

Ben Blackwell grounded the ball over the try line but the referee didn’t give it and Keighley had to make do with a penalty from Brown.

With seconds left, Keighley had the ball contained in a ruck but the ball miraculously appeared on the opposition side and a quick pass and a desperate drop goal from Collins skimmed the bar and went over to steal the points.