Gateshead Thunder 28 Doncaster 32: Doncaster cling on for points at Gateshead

The Dons were well on top in the first half scoring 20 points in the opening quarter and Jack Ely's early try after the break made it 32-6.

But the visitors fell off the pace as fellow relegated side Gateshead built up a head of steam that brought four tries in 10 minutes.

Suddenly the gap was only four points but with both sides out on their feet neither managed to score a point in the final quarter of the game.

It had earler all seemed routine for a Doncaster side that continually exposed Gateshead's right-side defence.

Winger Aaron Henry touched down twice in the corner in the opening 11 minutes and then Henry raced down the line to put Tommy Griffiths over.

Ryan Steen went through a big gap to stretch the lead and, after Ryan Clarke had replied, Grffiths grabbed his second between the posts.

When Ely showed good strength to touchdown through a ruck of defenders Gateshead looked dead and buried.

But Tom Wilson began the fightback, set up another for Ade Aderiye and, with the Dons n disarray, hooker Will Bate powered over.

Kevin Neighbour's try just before the hour continued the Tynesiders' momemtum but Doncaster rode the storm to edge home by four points.

Gateshead Thunder: M.Brown, O'Sullivan, Neighbour, Wilson, Peers, Duffy, Ry Clarke, Parker, Bate, Welton, Rhy Clarke, Aderiye, M.Barron. Substitutes: Young, G.Barron, Cash, Cakacaka.

Doncaster: Griffiths, Henry, Gomersall, Leaf, Wilson, S.Brown, Keswick, Bates, P.Brown, Ellery, Lawton, Steen, Carbutt. Substitutes: Ely, Stanley, Shaw, Howlett.

Referee: C Leatherbarrow (RFL).