LEADERS Keighley look to have made it a three-horse race at the summit of Yorkshire Two, after an impressive 24-12 win at Wheatley Hills on Saturday.

Hills are a fair way behind Keighley in fourth, but could have closed the gap to around 20 points, with three games in hand on Dan McGee's side, with a victory.

And despite Keighley spending a hefty chunk of the second half with 14 men, and the last few minutes with only 13, they came away with a fine win.

The visitors made a lightning start, and tries from Adam Horsfall and Sean Kelly, both converted by Jack Atkinson, put them 14-0 up after just 15 minutes.

Those scores came about for Keighley due to some good early pressure, as well as clinical finishing.

But Wheatley are not fourth, with an excellent home record, for nothing, and they scored a fine individual try before the break to reduce the arrears to 14-5.

There were some players guilty of missed tackles for that try, but both Keighley and Hills defended well after the break.

The only score in the opening 20 minutes of the second half was an Atkinson penalty, but then Sam Booker was red carded for a high tackle, giving Hills a sniff of a comeback.

Instead, a breakaway run from Kelly saw him pass to debutant Ross Lacey, who was brought down inches short of the line.

But it was no matter, as Jordan Yaxley followed that up with a good support try, with Atkinson converting to make it 24-5.

Hills were applying pressure against the 14 men, and they got the score back to 24-12 with a converted try 10 minutes before the end.

Horsfall was then yellow carded for persistent penalty infringements, but the hosts could not take any further advantage before the full-time whistle.

After the game, Keighley head coach McGee said: "We showed great heart and effort to hold on with 13 men.

"It was a tough win on the road, but it was just as rewarding as the 100 points we scored against Ripon (the week before)."

Keighley now have a free weekend, and are next in league action at home to North Ribblesdale on February 12.