Rotherham Titans pip Plymouth Albion with a last-gasp drop goal in top-of-the-table thriller

Titans were on the defence and seemingly holding out for a 19-19 draw when a break by Isaac Shaw took them downfield and ultimately set up the position for Lloyd Hayes to strike the decisive blow from 25 metres, just like England hero Jonny Wilkinson in the 2003 World Cup final.

The 22-19 win puts Rotherham four points ahead of Plymouth and Blackheath at the top of National One and nearer a return to the Championship for the first time in eight years.

"Plymouth are a hell of a side but we stuck to it,” the match winner told the Advertiser.

"Some things didn’t go our way, like my yellow card earlier, but the boys showed some heart.

"Once we got in close, I knew the drop goal was going to be option. Build a few phases, take a breath and then hope for the best with the kick.

"It was nice to keep my bottle and win it for the boys. It’s a massive moment.”

A packed Clifton Lane crowd of more than 1,200 saw a nervous Rotherham slip 13-0 down in the opening half-hour to two penalties from Iwan Jenkins and a charge-down try from second row Joel Broadhurst which was converted.

Jackson Barling scooted in to get Titans on the board just before half time and their strong start to the second half forced referee Ben Simpson into awarding them a penalty try to cut the deficit to a single point.

Despite having parity up front, Albion took every opportunity to put points on the board in a match in which they had two men sin-binned.

Jenkins was successful with two more three-pointers to open up a 19-12 lead only for Xavier Valentine to finish off a powerful drive at the other end and Issac Shaw to add the extras to even the scores.

A point ahead at the start of play, a draw would not have been disastrous for Rotherham. They defended, covered and tackled for their lives in the dying moments to stay in it before Hayes provided the winning bonus in front of a season’s best crowd of more than 1,200.

“That game was worthy of a first versus second,” said team chief Harvey Biljon.

"At 19-19, three of the final four minutes were in our final third and we had to find a way to get up the pitch.

"We did that. The players backed our system and transferred what they do in training into the game and came away with a big moment.

"I’m so proud of the players, the coaches, the support team and everyone involved.”

Titans now have a couple of weeks off before the first of their final three matches, at home to Rams on April 11.