Workington Town slipped to their first defeat in six games – but unveiled a new signing for the 2016 season.

Declan Hulme, the 22-year-old centre/wing, who has spent time with both Town and Whitehaven over the last three seasons, is being released by Super League club Widnes.

He was taken onto the pitch at half-time and received a fine reception from the Town fans, who had enjoyed his efforts as a dual-registration player in 2013 and as a loan player last year.

Hulme had watched Town establish a 10-4 lead by half-time but they could not sustain it against the Championship Shield leaders and were beaten 24-10.

Coach Phil Veivers said: “It was disappointing to lose after such a good run of results but even when we were in front I don’t think we looked in control of the game.

“I wasn’t happy with some of the refereeing decisions particularly at the end when we had Callum Phillips laid out by a crusher tackle and nothing was said or done.”

“I watched an Under-14s match earlier in the day and the standard of refereeing in that was better than what we had.”

Town are still fourth in the table, hoping to qualify for the Shield semi-final but Whitehaven closed to within a point after their excellent win at Dewsbury while Batley are also a point behind.

Next Monday, Bank Holiday, both Cumbrian clubs should win as they host the bottom two – Town v Doncaster and Haven v Hunslet – but Batley travel to Featherstone.

It really is boiling-up to a thrilling final derby clash of the season on Sunday, September 13 at the Zebra Claims Stadium when Town v Haven could be the shoot-out for fourth spot and an appearance in the semi-final of the Shield.