Bridlington 17 Keighley 6

The East coast is normally a happy hunting ground for Keighley but on this occasion, despite a huge effort by the depleted pack in the second half, they missed out on the chance for two valuable points.

They fell behind in only the second minute of play following a harsh and controversial penalty award when the backs were alleged to have encroached at a line out won by Keighley.

Quick thinking by home stand off Jamie Maru and an accurate kick to the corner brought a try for wingman Stevens, converted by full back Robinson. Keighley replied with a penalty goal by Alex Brown before the home lead was extended by a similar effort by Robinson.

There was little to choose between the sides. Good line out work for Keighley by Michael Feather and Rob Clarke and a solid scrum gave the backs a plentiful supply of ball, but lack of penetration in midfield and solid defence led to the visitors making little progress.

Instead they were forced to rely on stand off Brown's boot and some forceful play by forwards Leigh Sugden and Clarke to drive play into the Bridlington half, where genuine scoring chances were few.

Equally the hosts created few opportunities, but on a rare foray into Keighley's 22-metre area they set up a rolling maul which Keighley could not check in the slippery conditions and skipper Ben Lawry forced his way over for a try converted by Robinson.

The 14-point lead flattered the hosts, but if Keighley's plight was ominous it soon looked much more worse when prop Richard Leach was given a red card for stamping just before half-time.

The Keighley pack drew deep on its resouces of spirit and determination in the second half, refusing to take a backward step.

Replacement props Paul Sinfield and Evan Griffin, the latter making his first appearance after a long lay off through injury, anchored the scrums and made good ground in the loose where Sugden and Clarke continued their impressive work and were well supported by flanker Will Armitage.

A second penalty goal by Brown kept Keighley in the game and with play concentrated in the Bridlington half, Keighley always looked the more likely to score. The home defence held out, however, but not without several anxious moments.

Keighley missed the flair and pace of the absent Rob Ellis and Mark Beckett.

Apart from the stalwart efforts of the seven-man pack, their attacking options were largely based on tactical kicking and long miss passes by Brown to his wingmen Danny Lester and Sam Walker, both of whom were well marshalled by their opposite numbers.

The side's combined efforts deserved greater reward which hopefully will come in two weeks time when they visit Scarborough on a return to the East coast.

In the meantime thoughts will be concentrated on Saturday's game at Utley, weather permitting, against bottom placed Redcar. It is a contest Keighley quite simply must win.