By Nathan Atkinson Sports reporter

Keighley Cougars fought hard on Sunday before succumbing to a 36-24 defeat at Workington Town in the Betfred Championship.

The visitors lost four players to injury, adding to the absences of Izaac Farrell, Aaron Brown, Leo Aliyu, David Foggin-Johnston and George Flanagan.

Head coach Ian Hardman hopes those players will be back within the next month, but the current absentee list does not bode well ahead of Keighley’s rearranged home game with Dewsbury Rams this Wednesday.

That clash was called off earlier this month due to concerns over the safety of the pitch after a prolonged period of warm and dry weather, but it will take place just 17 days after initially planned.

As for Sunday’s game, which kicked off 15 minutes late due to the need to treat a medical emergency in the crowd, once it began, Workington hit the front with a converted try, only for Brandon Pickersgill to respond, Matty Beharrell adding the extras to level the game.

Two tries in two minutes put Workington in control shortly before half-time, but Keighley hit back almost on the hooter through Lachlan Lanskey.

Beharrell closed the gap to 16-12 with a successful conversion but it had been a bruising first half.

Dan Parker, Emmanuel Waine, and Dylan Proud all suffered knocks and were forced off, leaving Keighley with a daunting challenge heading into the second period.

Yet the Cougars hit the front when Oli Whitford crossed the line three minutes into the second half, Beharrell adding the extras to put his side 18-16 ahead.

But two tries in six minutes just before the hour mark put Workington in control, before a couple of late scores put them out of sight.

Whitford was helped off injured to leave the Cougars with a further headache, forcing them to activate 18th man Max Clarke.

And it was the big centre who had the last word, scoring a minute from time, with Beharrell converting, to give the visitors a consolation.

The defeat sees Keighley overtaken by Workington, as they drop to 16th in the 20-team table, with just four wins from their 18 games so far.

Keighley Cougars lose at Workington Town after four injuries | Bradford Telegraph and Argus