Crosfields 20 West Bowling 22

A PENALTY from halfway with the game’s final kick saw Crosfields fall to a second defeat on the spin, severely damaging their hopes of automatic promotion.

Soap were 16-4 to the good at one point in the second half, but in-form visitors West Bowling stormed back and levelled matters just before the full-time whistle.

However, when the home side’s kick off failed to go 10 metres, the resultant penalty was helped over by the wind to ensure defeat for Ian Boden’s side in a game they were in full control of.

They remain third in National Conference League Division Two, but are three points behind second-placed Dewsbury Moor with just three games remaining.

Crosfields started strongly as Chris Hull scored the opening try – goaled by Brad Stanway – before West Bowling hit back to trail by just two points at the break.

However, an excellent start to the second period saw Brad Stanway and Nathan Taylor cross within the first 12 minutes of the half.

Tom Millington’s try looked to have quelled the visitors' brief resurgence until the late drama.

Boden’s side visit Askam on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Dan Reid, Chris Hull, Ian Boden, Nathan Taylor; Billy Sheen, Brad Stanway; Dave Boden, Hayden James, Tom Brown, Jordan Williams, Mitchell McJay, Daniel Lee. Subs: Alex Clutterbuck, Tom Millington, Lewis Bani, Jordan Ansell.