In an amazing repeat of the Easter derby, Whitehaven snatched victory over their old rivals Workington Town with a touchline conversion after the final hooter.

Town coach Leon Pryce was bitterly disappointed that his side couldn’t see it through after being 10 points ahead with seven minutes left.

Opposite number Carl Forster had nothing but praise for the calmness of match-winning kicker Dan Abram or the spirit in his injury-hit side with no more inter-changes available over the closing stages.

Haven’s 24-22 victory followed a 14-12 win at the Recreation Ground when they had also turned defeat into victory with a late try and conversion.

Forster said: “Dan was super confident he would nail the kick. His attitude was that he’d done it before so he could do it again.

“But the fact we got ourselves into the position to win it shows the character in our side.

"We only had 13 men left for the closing stages through injuries and the fact that we are very much in play-off contention shows the terrific spirit in the squad.

“Injuries are a concern, though, especially as there is a signing ban on us until we can show the Rugby Football League we are debt free.”

In the opposite camp, Pryce took the view that it might have been a reality check for his side after their recent run of wins.

“It shouldn’t take a verbal ear bashing from me at half-time to get us playing because it’s happened too many times that we give teams points start," said Pryce.

“The first half was very poor but we did better after half-time and, when we went 10 points up with seven minutes left, I thought that was a fair reflection.

"There is no way we should have lost that game with a 22-12 lead. Our game management wasn’t good enough.

“There were some positives but the biggest thing is that it isn’t the end of the world and it might have come at the right time to serve as a reality check."