Published at 21:17, Thursday, 26 July 2012

Workington’s promotion-toasting champagne was put on ice for another week after Town lost 22-6 to title rivals Doncaster.

Stand off Paul Cooke was the difference in a tense game, scoring once, created another and having a 100 per cent record with the boot.

The 16-point loss was Workington’s heaviest defeat of the season, and means Dave Bowden’s side still need a win to guarantee promotion to the Championship.

Town went behind early on at the Keepmoat when Cook popped the ball to Craig Robinson for a simple try.

After going 6-0 down, Town hit back with a spell of pressure, which led to nothing.

Cooke doubled Doncaster’s lead with the home side’s 100th try of the season midway through the half.

Cooke kicked two penalties just before the break to gift Doncaster a 16-0 lead.

Chairman Dave Bowden said his side didn’t create enough chances, and admitted Doncaster deserved to lead.

A physical game with very little between the sides, Doncaster extended their lead through centre Lee Waterman.

Cooked kicked the extras to make it 22-0.

Jamie Thackray almost made the Workington breakthrough, but his offload to Carl Forber was too high and too hard.

Peter Lupton did manage to cross the whitewash inside the last six minutes with Forber kicking the conversion to make it 22-6.

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk