Hull Kingston Rovers 28 Castleford Tigers 26: Dobson's late strike piles the misery on Castleford

It came as no surprise then when the nerveless Michael Dobson sailed a 45-metre penalty through the posts after the hooter had sounded to secure Rovers a win they should never really have had any right to achieve.

The circumstances, though, were harsh. Castleford, who engineered enough opportunities to win the enthralling contest twice over, had already seen two drop-kick attempts mis-cued at the end, the second of which resulted in Rovers being awarded a penalty after the visitors had blocked off defenders desperately trying to charge down Rangi Chase's kick.

That gave the home side field position but with only seven seconds remaining they were still marooned near halfway.

Referee Phil Bentham spotted an infringement, however, Tigers' Stuart Jones apparently stealing the ball from Jason Netherton and he awarded the penalty which Dobson duly dispatched, ensuring his club's place in the play-offs for a second year running.

Jones may have had a hand on the ball but it appeared that the wily Netherton may simply have lost grip and pleaded otherwise. Terry Matterson's side – who had lost to the same opponents in similar agonising circumstances at the start of the season – did not deserve to suffer such a fate but know they only have themselves to blame.

They produced some outstanding football, the irrepressible stand-off Chase delighting with his running and creative play, while Ryan McGoldrick chipped in with some deft passing which consistently unleashed the likes of Joe Westerman.

Up front, second-row Brett Ferres was a force while confident young forwards Oliver Holmes, 18, and Jonathan Walker, 20, came off the bench to give Rovers' seasoned pack some real trouble in attack and defence.

But it was their failure to capitalise which ensured Castleford are now sweating on their own play-off place.

In the second half alone, Chase's brilliance conjured up a gilt-edged chance which he spurned with a poor pass – his only bad option all afternoon – to winger Michael Wainwright while McGoldrick's cleverness sent Steve Snitch racing clear only for the second-rower to find Ryan Hudson in support and not the more pacey Michael Shenton on his other shoulder.

Gritty Rovers – who have now won seven games on the trot at Craven Park – made the most of their let-offs and, with the immense Rhys Lovegrove setting a terrific lead from prop and on-loan centre Josh Charnley poaching a hat-trick, nudged home.

Westerman put Castleford ahead with a second-minute penalty but Rovers responded almost immediately with the first of Charnley's trio.

The Wigan Warriors youngster gracefully eased through a gaping hole down Castleford's right side – a weakness his side would often exploit during the course of the afternoon – to show just why Justin Morgan is so keen to extend his loan deal from the Super League leaders.

However, Charnley was caught out defensively when Ferres held off his challenge to carry him almost 10 metres to score Castleford's first try.

McGoldrick's delayed pass had put Westerman surging clear and, although, Kirk Dixon was eventually hauled in just short by Shaun Briscoe, Castleford quickly shifted the ball to the left where the former Bradford second-row powerfully finished.

Westerman's conversion restored their lead before Ferres and Ryan Hudson combined to force a meaty challenge on Lovegrove which left the Rovers prop needing lengthy treatment.

When he finally found his senses, the young front-row went on to have a thunderous game, constantly charging forward.

Rovers found more success down Castleford's hesitant left side when Briscoe found space outside Joe Arundel to slice through before Charnley got his second after latching onto Dobson's grubber.

At 18-6, Rovers were in command but the bulky Walker smashed Peter Fox to win possession and Arundel profited with a try which Westerman improved.

Matterson's men did well to survive a long period of pressure before the break before levelling on 43 minutes following a classic try. Walker squeezed out an off-load on halfway which Chase picked up before slipping Holmes away.

The youngster fended off the much-vaunted Australian Clint Newton – something he should be talking about for a while – before returning to Chase who skipped clear of Briscoe to sprint in between the posts.

Westerman converted again but a Dobson penalty kept the hosts in front until Chase's perfect inside pass sent Jones twisting through the tackles of Liam Watts and Briscoe to score.

Charnley got his third on 69 minutes with a carbon copy of his second and Dobson edged them in front once more before Westerman evened it out with a penalty four minutes from time before those dramatic final seconds ruined Castleford again.

Hull KR: Briscoe; Fox, Charnley, Colbon, Latus; Murrell, Dobson; Clinton, Fisher, Lovegrove, Newton, Galea, Watts. Substitutes: Wheeldon, Netherton, Hodgson, Mariano.

Castleford: McGoldrick; Dixon, Shenton, Arundel, Wainwright; Chase, Widders; Huby, Hudson, Sargent, Ferres, Clayton, Westerman. Substitutes: Snitch, Jones, Holmes, Walker.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington)

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Rangi Chase

Michael Dobson won the game for Hull KR with his last-second penalty but Castleford's brilliant stand-off was a joy to watch. Few players leave people on the edge of their seats quite like the hugely creative Australian.

Villain: Stuart Jones

Although he was harshly penalised for the decisive kick, Jones is

experienced enough to know he should never have given referee Phil Bentham the merest of chances to blow his whistle.

Verdict

Castleford needed victory here more than Hull KR and they did enough to warrant it but their failure to convert opportunities cost them dearly. Their opponents, meanwhile, have shown the tigerish attitude which could serve them well in the play-offs.

Key moment: 62nd minute

Having gone ahead 24-20, Castleford had a glorious chance to score again directly afterwards and seal the match when Steve Snitch broke away but they could not finish and Hull KR survived.

Next game

Salford v Hull KR, Sunday August 15 3pm Castleford v Leeds, Friday August 13 8pm

Quote of the day

It's the second game against this team where we thought we should have got more out of it but didn't. Both have been a little controversial but it hasn't been levelled out has it?

Tigers coach Terry Matterson on referee Phil Bentham.