Keighley 11, York 17

Keighley’s impressive run of form was halted by York despite the hosts dominating for large spells.

The home team kept the visitors in their own half for a full 30 minutes but poor handling from the Keighley backs, with the try line begging, did not help their cause.

The only rewards for their efforts were two penalties from Alex Brown.

Keighley efforts were rewarded when second row Ian Buckley took a tackle and, with the ball firmly in his grasp, scored what the spectators and players thought was a fine try.

But he was controversially adjudged to have knocked on.

York fought back when full back Nixon made a direct attack down the left of the field, knocking off the weak first-up tackler. He slipped the ball to speedy winger Billy Cakaunitabua, who scored near the posts and Williams converted.

The second half saw the Keighley forwards resume their dominance, with ex-Wharfedale player Dave Lister managing the line-out and open side Dave Pullen controlling the ground play.

However, the Keighley three-quarters were too intent on chasing the game and, as a result, squandered a lot of quality possession on wrong options.

York, after a rare incursion into the Keighley 22, scored a penalty through Williams but, with ten minutes to go, the Rose Cottage forwards took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Using rolling mauls to pull in defenders, the home pack turned pressure into points when replacement prop Craig Spencer broke free to score, converted by Brown.

Keighley then appeared to ease off a little as winger Cakaunitabua used his pace to make good ground.

He took the ball into contact and quick ball with the defence in disarray gave full back Nixon the opportunity to score in the corner.

Williams’ magnificent conversion left Keighley rueing their own wasted chances.