Thatto Heath Crusaders 24 Keighley Albion 22 HEATH were taken to the wire by fellow Conference Division Two side Keighley Albion in this thrilling first round Challenge Cup tie after having to play the whole of the second half with 12 men.

After a tight opening quarter the only score was a drop goal by stand-off Mark Adams for the visitors as stirling defence from the Heath pack, particularly Williams and Hatton, kept them at bay.

But on the 20-minute mark the Yorkshire wide managed to break the Crusaders' defence out wide when full-back Chris Hogg sneaked through the narrowest of gaps.

Heath hit back though with a splendid try from Wayne Jackman who used all his pace and strength to score out on the left. Mike Woods and Neil Prescott both went close to adding to Heath's tally, only to be denied by the referee's whistle, but the only further score before the break was a penalty for Albion by Adams.

However, the half did not end without incident when both scrum-halves were sin-binned for a scuffle and then Heath replacement Dave Lloyd was dismissed for a late tackle leaving them to finish the game with 12 men.

Keighley opened the scoring in the second period with a drop goal by hooker Andy Bowness.

But Heath replied within seconds when a perfectly-flighted kick-off by Woods allowed prop Geoff Williams to collect a spilled ball and dive over for a try. Jackman converted to give Heath the lead for the first time.

It was a short-lived advantage though as Hogg crossed for his second try out on the right as the home defence struggled to cover for the missing man.

However, as so often before this season, it was the character of the Thatto Heath side that saw them through and their determination was rewarded when captain and man-of-the-match Barry Ashall made another of his game-breaking raids into the opposition line and this time Anthony Marsh, who had a fine game at loose-forward, was on hand to score.

Jackman again added the conversion.

When Williams crossed for his second try -- again goaled by Jackman -- shortly afterwards, Heath must have thought they had the game won.

But the Yorkshiremen refused to give up and try on the power play by second- rower Neil Jordan, converted from the touchline by Adams, brought them to within four points.

A Jackman penalty made it 24-18 entering the final minute but Keighley came again and a final attack saw second-row Chris Atkins cross wide out. Fortunately for Heath though Adams couldn't add the touchline conversion to force extra time and seconds later the referee blew for full-time.

Marple men-of-the-match for Heath were Paul Hatton (forwards) and Barry Ashall (backs).