Batley Bulldogs 56 Keighley Cougars 4: Keighley facing relegation as Bulldogs eye play-off campaign

But because of the spirited Keighley performance the game had passed the first quarter stage before Batley started to dominate exchanges. The change was sparked by Batley centre Josh Griffin who snapped up a loose ball and raced 70 metres to score between the sticks.

Two minutes later Jason Walton, playing at centre because of an injury crisis, seared through the defensive line to touch down and this was followed by a hat-trick of tries from wingman Jonny Campbell in nine minutes either side of the interval.

Scrum-half Gareth Moore, injured by a late challenge, could only land one first-half conversion but went on to score a try and then add the goal – the first of five second-half conversions out of six attempts.

His marksmanship helped rattle up the points as outstanding full-back Ian Preece showed great support to score twice, Walton got his second and was followed on to the scoresheet by Lee Greenwood and Kris Lythe who got late touchdowns.

Keighley never gave up trying and full-back Gavin Duffy did managed to break their duck by taking a long kick from scrum half Danny Jones to dive over for a try by the corner flag.

But Jones narrowly missed the conversion and in doing so saw his own amazing record of having scored in 58 successive games come to an end.

Cougars coach Barry Eaton said that although he was disappointed with his side's performance he was proud of the squad for the way they had dealt with the season's setbacks and was hopeful they would stay with him next year.

"I reckon that, if that happens, we have the talent to seize promotion again next year," he said.

Batley Bulldogs: Preece; Campbell, Griffin, Walton, Greenwood; Handforth, Moore; Smith Lythe, Hesketh, J Gallagher, T Gallagher, Lindsay. Substitutes: Govin, Potter, Martin, Toothill.

Keighley Cougars: Duffy; Sheldrake, Burton, Baines, Hutchinson; Presley, Jones; Shickell, Feather, Law, Nicholson, Pursglove, Cartledge. Substitutes: Hughes, Haythornthwaite, Rawlings, Lopag.

Referee: G Hewer (RFL).

York City Knights edged out Swinton 48-42 in a high-scoring Championship One match.

York's points featured a hat-trick from Ryan Esders with Tom Lineham grabbing two tries, and Danny Ratcliffe booting six goals.