KEIGHLEY Cougars moved to the top of the Betfred League One table as they saw off a spirited Midlands Hurricanes side 29-18 at Cougar Park on Sunday, writes Joshua Chapman.

The Hurricanes threatened to inflict the Cougars first defeat of the season as they provided the sternest test of the year to date, but a late double from Mo Agoro saw the home side over the line.

The win also maintained the Cougars 100 per cent record in the league this season to set up a mouth-watering top of the table clash away at fellow undefeated side North Wales Crusaders in a fortnight’s time.

Charlie Graham opened the scoring, stepping through the line after the visitors had been penalised for a high tackle on Agoro.

The Hurricanes had an opportunity to level, but Jack Dawson was held up as he looked to touch down.

Keighley extended their lead through the boot of Jack Miller after Midlands were penalised for offside near to their own line.

The visitors' ill-discipline cost them as Benn Hardcastle was sent to the sinbin after not releasing the tackled man.

The Cougars scored shortly after, Nathan Roebuck forcing his way over in the corner after handing off Matt Welham.

From the restart, the Hurricanes forced an error and Dawson powered over from close range. Injuries took their toll for Rhys Lovegrove's side as he lost both Dalton Desmond-Walker and Dan Parker.

The visitors thought they had got themselves back within two points as Hardcastle touched down in the corner. However, the touch judge overruled the referee’s tackle count to disallow the effort.

Ill-discipline though cost Midlands once more as Hayden Freeman was sent to the bin for delaying the restart.

The Cougars went the length of the pitch from the penalty, making the most of the numbers advantage as Roebuck walked the ball over the line near to the right-hand corner.

The Hurricanes though kept coming at their hosts and it was Brenden Santi who prevented them from scoring with a superb last-ditch tackle to hold up Dawson.

But after forcing Alix Stephenson to concede a dropout, Midlands' Brad Clavering was presented the ball from five metres out, and the prop rampaged his way over from close range to make it a six-point ball game.

Dane Chisholm slotted over a drop goal after Keighley rolled down the middle of the field, and that one point would prove pivotal as the game reached its closing stages.

From a short restart, the away team regathered the ball and got within one point of their hosts as Matt Welham found a way through to score as the Midlands momentum continued to gather pace.

Hardcastle then attempted to convert a drop goal of his own to level the scores, but his kick drifted wide of the sticks.

Keighley then went the length of the field from the restart and found the try to give them breathing space, Agoro fighting his way in at the corner.

The winger sealed victory, putting in a big hit on Welham to force a knock-on and he played the advantage from the dropped ball to race over from 70 metres.