Ossett Trinity 26 Keighley Albion 20

ALBION’S outside title hopes were as good as ended by a frustrating defeat to Yorkshire Men's League Division Two rivals Ossett.

From the off, Trinity threw the ball out wide to attack Albion and it worked as they went 6-0 up.

Good kicking from the hosts kept on putting Keighley back in their 20-metre area but their pressure finally paid off with Mark Smith going over from a well-worked move. The kick was converted by Alfie Seeley to level the score.

Albion kept the pressure on but frustration crept in and four penalties on the bounce saw Ossett capitalise on field position to go 12-6 up.

But Keighley had the last word of the half as Richard Blackburn made it over for a try, though the conversion was not given despite Albion protests.

They came out all guns blazing in the second half and a great kick from Blackburn caused Ossett to fumble the ball, Gary Boocock going over for a try and Seeley adding the extras to put them 16-12 up.

The turning point came when Ossett got straight back on the scoresheet with Albion adamant that a knock-on had taken place. It left Keighley angry and they could not regather their heads.

Their frustration mounted at the referee's performance as Boocock ended up in the sin bin. However, Albion kept the pressure on and Jamie Stephenson went over in the corner, only for it to be disallowed for a knock-on. With penalties aplenty, Ossett got over for another score to increase their lead to 24-16.

Albion, now back to 13, kept plugging away as Morgan Robinson crossed the line to cut the gap to four points.

But hopes of a comeback ended when Stevie Cutler was sent to the sin bin and Ossett finished the game off with a penalty under the posts.

The result saw Ossett leapfrog Albion into third place.

Keighley Albion visit Halifax-based King Cross Park on Saturday for the Gary Baxter (Biddy) Memorial Cup (2.30pm). Coach transport is being provided - contact Danny Bowness on 07792-879510 for details.