WOOLSTON Rovers produced a brilliant fightback but were cruelly denied at the death in a 34-30 loss at Barrow Island.

The hosts led 28-12 early in the second half but at the 64th-minute mark Rovers were two points ahead for the first time, with centre Dan Fearnley having crossed for a hat-trick of tries.

But with three minutes remaining Rovers' hearts were broken as Blain Marwood went over for his hat-trick try to steer Barrow to a win that keeps them in second place in National Conference League Division Two.

Rovers' head of coaching Mal Holt said: “That was a tough defeat to take after such a great fightback.

"We got our noses in front and looked as though we were going to get the win until Barrow scored a late controversial try from a clear offside but we have to accept the decision and move on.

"We have a week off next weekend so that will give us time to prepare for our next game in a fortnight at home to Bradford Dudley Hill which is a must win game for us if we want to claim a play-off place.”

Dan Griffiths and Adam Files were Rovers' other try scorers, while Craig Lawton kicked five goals.

Best for Rovers were Fearnley, Lawton, Ryan Brown and Ryan Hickman.

Rovers: Kieran Jones; Jake Eccles, Dan Fearnley, Callum Moore, Dan Griffiths; Kieran Moore, Ryan Brown; Harry Files, Adam Files, Ryan Hickman, Craig Lawton, Alex Smith, Scott Whiteley. Subs: Dom Ball, Jake Toher, Thodorhs Nianiakas, Max Ainsworth.

Meanwhile, Rovers A produced a brilliant performance to defeat top-of-the-table Thatto Heath Crusaders B in North West Men's League Division Three at Monk Sports Club on Friday.

Thatto opened up a 12-0 lead but Rovers responded before the break with tries from Craig Woolvine and Sam Vernon, with Jay-Jay Catterall converting once.

Olly Parr crossed to put Rovers in front in a second half of tit-for-tat scoring.

A Sam Vernon effort wiped out a Thatto response to level matters and then Woolvine put his side back in front, only for the visitors to tie the scores again.

With three minutes remaining came the decisive play as a high kick by James Tarpey was fumbled by Thatto and Rovers substitute Tom Fagan pounced on the loose ball to score in the left corner.

Man of the match was awarded to Ben Crewe.

Rovers ‘A’ coach Dom Ball said: “That was a great win for us against the top-of-the-table side. We really dug deep after going 12-0 behind and produced some great play.

"We knew that it would be a tough game against such a well organised team but the lads really stuck to their task and fully deserved to get the win.

"Hopefully this can be the confidence boost that we needed to try and finish the season strongly.”

Rovers A: Ben Roberts; Louis Griffiths, Craig Woolvine, Olly Parr, Wil Maudsley; Elliott Best, Jay-Jay Catterall; Troy Holcroft, James Tarpey, Ben Crewe, Nathan Maguire, Sam Vernon, Paul Alcock. Subs: Tom Gaskell, Tom Fagan, Connor Pickett, Lewis Dawson.