Burtonwood Bridge 16 Rochdale Cobras 18

HEAD coach Lee Cunningham says he remains proud of his Burtonwood Bridge side despite their late defeat to Rochdale Cobras.

Bridge lost both Matty Wilson and Ross Young to injury to stretch their resources and Rochdale took advantage to score two late tries and snatch victory.

"Ultimately I have to be proud of the effort levels offered by the boys," Cunningham said.

"Their commitment to one another and the club cannot be brought into question.

"The praise that people have bestowed upon the group so far this season has been a great confidence boost for our young men.

"Today, I believe those same guys can look back at crucial moments of the game, and learn some valuable lessons to move into the future with."

Bridge made the perfect start when stand-in skipper Craig Stanton fed Will Weir, who smashed through the defence to cross the whitewash, with Young adding the conversion.

Tommy Unsworth had a try ruled out for a forward pass, but he played a big role in Bridge's second try when his kick chargedown fell kindly for Weir to sprint home.

After another Bridge try was chalked off, this time by Ryan Farnan, Rochdale crossed before the break to reduce the hosts' lead to four points.

Stanton went over just after the interval to restore Bridge's 10-point lead, but attempts to extend the lead met with frustration as Mike Ryder and Craig Holcroft both had efforts chalked off.

Wilson and Young were withdrawn and the reshuffling stifled Bridge's flow, with the visitors taking advantage with two late scores to snatch victory.

Cunningham's side travel to Wigan St Cuthberts on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

Burtonwood: Ross Young; Mike Ryder, Will Weir, Craig Holcroft, Oli Morrissey; Craig Stanton, Kurt Whiteley; Alex Newton, Tom Rowlinson, Callum Farnan, Ryan Farnan, Lloyd Feather, Tommy Unsworth. Subs: Dan Crampton, Greg Peters, Scott Birchwood, Matty Wilson.