Doncaster Knights 27 Rotherham Titans 20: McColl earns Knights vital platform in survival battle

With the score level at 20-20, Doncaster's hero, replacement back Steven McColl, seized the opportunity to score a remarkable try as he completed a rare successful counter attack that proved to be a sickening blow to a decent Rotherham side that prevented Doncaster leading until 84 minutes.

Indeed, the Titans, who are now almost certain to be playing in the relegation play-offs, were the much sharper team and led 10-3, 17-10 and then 20-17.

Doncaster, whose mistakes and aimless kicking game angered their supporters in a crowd of more than 2,000, may well have won by three tries to two, but this was not by any standards a confident performance.

Rotherham, scoring fine tries by scrum-half Neil Chivers and Jon Feeley on 29 and 42 minutes, handicapped themselves at a crucial stage of the closest of contests by being reduced to 14 men.

Replacement hooker Nigel Conroy received a yellow card on 75 minutes following a dangerous tackle – it turned out to be a costly and careless mistake made in the heat of the moment.

It means that in the final analysis Rotherham, who deserved at least to draw, left Castle Park with a losing bonus point only – a meagre return considering the depth of their commitment and resolve.

By contrast, Doncaster earned four precious points and with three games in hand consider themselves to be well-placed to escape the bottom four and to overtake Plymouth and Moseley

Having said that, they know a major improvement is required, not least in the lineouts – a weakness against Rotherham – if any further progress is to be forthcoming.

Rotherham, a vibrant team compared to the one which lost limply last weekend against Moseley, ruined the opportunity to record an essential win by conceding two soft tries on 35 and 46 minutes, and then right at the death.

The Titans lost a lineout, giving Doncaster's outstanding forward, flanker Adam Kettle, the chance to burst through to score, and later in the second half, Rotherham once again handed over possession when in control. Feeley had just scored an outstanding try, and with fly-half Jonny West converting, Rotherham deservedly led 17-10.

However, soon afterwards, a pass from forward Adam Kleeberger was intercepted, allowing fly-half Dougie Warnock to grab a converted try that made it

17-17.

Rotherham's forwards, on this evidence alone, a stronger unit than Doncaster's, dominated possession and territory after the break, and once West's second penalty had gone over, the Titans led 20-17 and looked capable of extending their control.

Events proved otherwise thanks to McColl's enterprise during a theatrical climax when Doncaster capitalised on possession and made a brutal use of the ball.

Theirs was a more than welcome win, but as Doncaster skipper Glen Kenworthy acknowledged, it was a weak performance: "Our skills were poor and we were lucky to win, and it doesn't feel like a victory.

"It's nice to win a derby but we didn't play in the right areas and it's very frustrating that we can't show to the fans the work we do in the week."

If Rotherham can continue the strength of this effort by the forwards shown here, their future in the Championship next season should be confirmed as should Doncaster's.

As winger Feeley pointed out: "We were fully committed and had a platform in the scrums and lineouts. We were genuinely unlucky, played all the rugby and to lose it like that is heartbreaking.

"Doncaster played a get out of jail card and moved it for almost the only time and snatched it at the end.

"The key for us is to maintain this performance in the remaining games and play-offs."

Doncaster Knights: Carter; Briers (McColl 57), Tonga-Uiha, Armitage, Flockhart, Warnock, Hallam, Davies (Corsar 58), Boden (Lawrie 57), Ta-U (Cusack 40), Kenworthy (Griffiths 74), Townson, Boyde (Bondy 68), Cochrane, Kettle.

Rotherham Titans: Hunt, Feeley, Maggs, Gidlow, Swatkins, West, Chivers, Kilbane (Voisey 60), Batty (Conroy 62), O'Donnell (Quigley 76), Challinor (Denton 57), Barnes, Swindall, Kleeburger, Burrows.

Referee: M Fox (RFU).