An impressive second-half performance underlined Whitehaven’s emerging potential for the League One season ahead as they beat in-form Doncaster.

Trailing 4-0 after a penalty-strewn first-half, Haven dominated on the change-over and four tries, all converted, saw them comfortably through to victory at 26-8.

The first half was not the most entertaining game of rugby league for either set of fans with just one try separating the two sides.

The penalties racked up and Haven had Dave Thompson to thank as he intercepted when the Dons looked set to score.

But they did get the breakthrough on 24 minutes when Matty Beharrell broke the line and put the ball on a plate for Matty Chrimes to go over but Beharrell dragged the conversion attempt wide.

Haven thought they had equalised when Sam Forrester went over but the referee pulled it back saying the Doncaster man had been taken out.

Forrester was then taken off the field after a high shot which earned the home side a penalty but in the end the half time score stayed at 4-0 to the visitors.

The second half was more eventful and it was Whitehaven who took the lead when Jake Moore broke the line and found Jason Mossop in support who raced over the line with Moore converting.

And moments later they were 12-4 ahead as the ball bounced from a last minute kick and into the arms of Moore who scored and converted his own.

Doncaster struck back when Beharrell slipped the ball to Jason Tali to score but again the resulting kick was wayward.

But Haven came back again and Jessie Joe Parker slipped out of the tackle to go over, with Moore again on target with the extras for 18-8.

Then came the crucial try as Dion Aiye was the man to go over the line, with Connor Holliday converting and Haven were in the clear at 24-8.

In the last seconds of the game Haven were handed a penalty and Holliday again duly obliged as the hooter sounded to hand the home side a crucial win at 26-8.