Dobson the hero for Rovers

Michael Dobson kicked a last-gasp penalty to secure Hull KR a 28-26 victory over Castleford at New Craven Park.

The Australian held his nerve at the death to slot over the match-winning kick and seal a crucial two points for Rovers and clinch a play-off berth.

Dobson's late heroics overshadowed a fine performance from Josh Charnley, the on-loan Wigan centre scoring a hat-trick of tries for the hosts.

Justin Morgan's side now sit seven points clear of the eighth-placed Tigers, who are ahead of Crusaders only on points difference, having played a game more.

Easy conversion

The visitors took a second-minute lead through a Joe Westerman penalty but Charnley soon hit back, breaking down the right before touching down behind the posts to make sure Dobson had an easy conversion.

But the Tigers showed their bite when Brett Ferres forced his way over the Rovers line on 11 minutes, with Westerman converting.

Rhys Lovegrove took a hefty knock in midfield and play was held up for a lengthy stoppage but the prop recovered to take his place back in the pack.

The home side then went back in front in this see-saw match when full-back Shaun Briscoe came into the line on 15 minutes to touch down, with Dobson again converting.

The hosts pulled further ahead when an astute kick from Dobson on 23 minutes caught the visitors' defence flat-footed and Charnley nipped in for his second try, with Dobson converting to put Rovers 18-8 ahead.

But the Tigers again responded, Joe Arundel put in by Rangi Chase's pass for an unconverted try that reduced the deficit to just six points at the interval.

As in the first half, the visitors came out fired up after the break and levelled things with just two minutes gone as Chase waltzed his way to a try from 60 metres out and Westerman landed his third conversion from four attempts.

The Tigers could then have pulled in front six minutes later but winger Michael Wainwright knocked on with the line beckoning.

Silly penalty

Instead the hosts reclaimed the lead on 55 minutes after the Tigers conceded a silly penalty and Dobson made it four successful kicks on the bounce to edge his side 20-18 ahead.

But four minutes later, Castleford edged back in front when Stuart Jones touched down, with Westerman's conversion putting his side 24-20 up.

There was still another swing of the pendulum, though, as Charnley scooted in for his third try following an astute kick from Dobson, who also added the conversion.

Never-say-die Castleford levelled things once more with a Westerman penalty on 75 minutes, and at that stage a draw seemed the most likely outcome.

Yet there was still to be a final twist, Rovers being awarded a penalty just as the final hooter sounded. Dobson remained calm to land the kick from 47 metres and clinch a nail-biting victory.