Whitehaven’s League One Super 8 game with Keighley on Sunday was two hours from being called off.

The club’s frantic efforts on social media to find a doctor to cover the game were finally answered.

Chris Dalton, originally from Egremont, and the club doctor for Blackburn Rovers, stepped in and offered his services.

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd explained the situation the club was in on Saturday morning, just over 24 hours ahead of kick-off.

“Since our club doctor retired we have been trying to find a replacement but with no success,” he said.

“We have contacted all the local practices and advertised the position but still have not been successful.

“It really was getting desperate on Saturday morning and we were soon going to be in a position when we would have had to notify the Rugby League and inform Keighley.

“I reckon we had about two hours to spare when Dr Dalton said he would help us out,” added Todd.

Match commissioner Neil Robinson from Blackpool, but a west Cumbrian, had to brief Dr Dalton before the game.

“I had to explain the rugby league criteria on concussions which are different to football,” he said.

The scare over the lack of a doctor was the second serious problem which could have derailed the Keighley game.

Earlier in the week parts of the Recreation Ground were waterlogged after a heavy downpour.

“It didn’t look good but our ground staff did a wonderful job in clearing the pitch and they can’t be praised highly enough,” said Todd.

“After our concerns it was great that the team served up such a terrific performance.

“To beat the form team in League One, who had just drawn with Toronto, in such convincing fashion augers well for the games to come,” said the chairman.

Haven will finish no lower than third, have to play Toronto (away), York (home) and Workington (away) before the play-off semi-final at the Recre.