Matterson unhappy at Bentham's decision

They lost 28-26 at Craven Park yesterday after Michael Dobson slotted a 45-metre kick with the game's last play, Phil Bentham having awarded a dubious penalty for Castleford's Stuart Jones stripping possession off Jason Netherton.

Tigers similarly suffered a late 24-20 defeat against Rovers at The Jungle in February when Bentham was also the referee, although that night video official Steve Ganson actually ruled Liam Watts's contentious try should stand.

Matterson insisted he attached no blame to Jones and added: "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 bit controversial I suppose but it hasn't been leveled out has it?

"At the end of the day it's come down to a decision."

While disappointed with the outcome, the Australian conceded his side – clinging onto eighth spot – should never have allowed themselves to get within range having spurned numerous opportunities.

"We played some good rugby and made so many breaks but couldn't finish them off," said Matterson.

"We did wonderfully well to come back but we've just come up short again."

Hull KR confirmed their place in the play-offs for a second successive season and coach Justin Morgan was fulsome in his praise of Dobson, who kicked six from six.

"It was a massive play," he said.

"Kicking in to that wind, from more than 40 metres, I always had doubts but he seemed very confident."

Morgan hopes to extend the loan deal of young centre Josh Charnley who scored a hat-trick yesterday in his final game before a scheduled return to Wigan Warriors while the coach also confirmed Rovers are in talks with Canterbury Bulldogs stand-off Blake Green, 23, a former Australian Schoolboys team-mate of Dobson's.