MINERS came close to snatching an unlikely victory after roaring back from 30-6 down in the opening 25 minutes to lose 44-38 at Rochdale Mayfield.

A second-half rally, helped by the dismissal of Mayfield’s player-coach Matt Calland, had visitors dreaming of a remarkable comeback against a side that were unbeaten at home all season, only to fall agonisingly short.

Miners left themselves too much to do after a disastrous first half, the floodgates opening inside a minute as the home side regained the ball from the kick-off and Joe Quanici scored a try under the sticks, Sam Butterworth goaling.

Two minutes later Mayfield stand-off Paul Brearley broke down the middle and found Lewis Sheridan in support to take the scoring pass.

The Rochdale side then added another two quick-fire tries, Quanici flicking an inspired offload to Sheridan, who finished it off, then on the last tackle when Aidie Gleeson barrelled over for a six-pointer.

Miners had failed to complete a single set but made the most of their first meaningful possession, Scott O’Brien dummying to the line to get the ball away for Martin Gray to dot down. Shaun Dowie converted.

The two sides then traded blows before the break, Brearley touching down for the home side and O'Brien scoring from the Miners to send them into half-time 30-12 down.

The ebb and flow of scoring continued after the break as Connor Ratcliffe dived over for Miners before David Wood collected a Brearley kick to touch down for the home side.

Eric Johnson then stretched Mayfield's lead to 40-18 with another try before the game turned in Miners' favour.

Neat work by Jimmy Muir put Gareth Pain in at the corner and Dowie goaled, before Calland saw red just before the hour, the former Bradford man punished for an awful high tackle on Mick O’Boyle.

Miners then ran over two swift tries - first O’Brien sliced his way through a bemused defence for his second, then Danny Jackson charged in and off-loaded for O’Brien to grab his hat-trick, Dowie with the goal.

The visitors thought they had pulled level when Matt Astley drove to the line but the prop was hauled just short, and Mayfield then stuck in the knife, Sheridan getting on the end of a grubber kick for his hat-trick.

Andrew Groves scored for Miners to set up a grandstand finish but the visitors were denied a possible equaliser at the death when they had a try ruled out for a forward pass.

The Alliance side recorded another fine win with a 64-12 demolition of Accrington Panthers. Adam Thomas led the scoring with three tries while Harry Gagen and Charlie Tyson both scored twice and Dave Woods, Ian Jolley, Garry Fitzmartin and Jonny Carroll ran in a try apiece. Tyson and Scott Travis shared five goals.

The Under-18s enjoyed a 30-12 win at Woolston as Chris Worral ran in three tries, and Phil McGloughlan and Andy King were also on the scoresheet.

This Saturday the first team host NCL Premier Division leaders Wigan St Patricks in the quarter finals of the Conference Challenge Trophy, while the Alliance entertain Leyland and the U18s are at home to Portico Vine on Sunday.