Graeme Hallas' troops belied their lowly status to produce a plucky display.

The scores were locked at 16-16 at the hour point, with Hawks scenting a major upset.

But Cougars had enough in the locker to forge clear and claim a six-point success, inspired by benchman Will Cartledge, who grabbed a key score on 62 minutes.

Danny Jones' try gave Keighley breathing space, but a late try from Richard Chapman caused a few flutters in the home ranks.

Karl Gunney and Scott Childs struck in the first period and hopes of a shock win surfaced when Mark Cunningham went over early in the second half for Hawks.

But Keighley – for whom Craig Fawcett, Ryan Smith and Brendan Rawlins crossed the whitewash in the first 40, Jones tagging on two goals – just about held sway and claimed victory.

If Cougars win their final match at London Skolars on Friday and Barrow sink Doncaster two nights earlier, they will finish fourth and bag a home play-off draw.

KEIGHLEY: Rayner, Gardner, Potter, K Smith, R Smith, Jones, Fawcett, Shickell, J Feather, Law, Nicholson, Lowe, Redfearn. Subs: Wray, Rawlins, Cartledge, Bissell.

HUNSLET: Larvin, Aitken, A Robinson, Cook, Childs, Maloney, Moxon, Freeman, Chapman, Lawton, B. Walkin, Gunney, D. Robinson. Subs: Wainhouse, Young, Thewliss, Cunningham.

REFEREE: Paul Carr (Cas'ford).