COUGARS skipper James Feather has vowed that his side will fight to the death to keep their faint promotion hopes alive.

Paul March’s side currently lie seventh in the Kingstone Press League One Super 8s after last Sunday’s defeat at Doncaster.

The 26-24 loss in South Yorkshire has left Keighley three points adrift of the top five with only two games remaining.

Fifth-placed York City Knights also have three games left, one of which is a final-day trip to Cougar Park.

Keighley are reliant on other clubs slipping up but head coach March insists his team will go all out to win their remaining two games and Feather is taking a similarly belligerent stance.

The long-serving hooker said: “The club stated at the start of the year that we had to get promoted, which heaped pressure on Marchy and subsequently the players.

“It has been like that all year and the fans have put pressure on the club as well.

“In the last few weeks, the lads have just concentrated on playing rugby, rather than everything else that has gone on.

“The performances have been better and the players have interacted with the crowd a lot more and the supporters have enjoyed their rugby.

“It’s going to be very tough but we can still squeeze in that top five and I'm optimistic because I want to win things.

“I still believe we can do it because you look at a team like Leeds Rhinos, who reached the Grand Final and won the title from fifth place."

Cougars’ two remaining games are a trip to Barrow on Sunday, September 4 and then the visit of York seven days later.

They have this weekend off due to the Challenge Cup final between Hull FC and Warrington and Feather believes his side can enter their final two games with renewed energy.

Feather added: “We go to Barrow next week who are probably the form team at the moment and it will be very tough up there.

“But if the lads can play like we did at Doncaster, then we will have a chance.

“We were the better side for 70 minutes and it was just those last 10 minutes where Doncaster got on top. It was a shame we couldn't hold on.

“I'm a lifelong fan of the club and am also fortunate enough to play for Keighley.

“Even when we were bottom of the league, I still supported the club and played for them.

“Now we are fighting for a play-off spot, we need the fans because they are our 18th man at the moment.

“As players, we really appreciate the support and we need it more than ever now.”

Cougars have already stated that March’s contract will not be renewed if they fail to win promotion.

Feather has spoken in the past of his desire to move into coaching when he finally hangs up his boots.

He will almost certainly continue his playing career at Cougar Park next season and admits he would like to coach the club one day.

But his sole focus is on helping the team to reach the top five and earn the promotion that would save March’s job.

Feather said: “I've spoken to the club and agreed a deal with the chairman but I've not signed anything as yet.

“I want to keep Paul March in his job and I'll do everything in my power to do that.

“If he did leave, of course I would throw my hat into the ring but, if I'm honest, it might be too soon for me.

“If the board wanted to speak to me, I would be more than willing to do so and if I did get the job, it wouldn't just be me coming in.

“There would be a couple of ex-players, one of whom would be Paul Moses.

“He's a close friend of mine and we could achieve something special if we were coaching together at any level – amateur or first-team.

“Paul was a very good coach and, although he's been out of the game for a while, he still watches enough rugby to be up to date with the game.

“But at the moment, my focus is 100 per cent on keeping Paul March in a job.

“I wouldn't want to see anyone with a wife, kids and mortgage unemployed.

“He's always been good to me – I play every week – and the season is far from over. That’s my overriding motivation right now.”