A CARL Forber goal – minutes into golden point extra time – sealed a Workington Town victory that propelled them into the Betfred League 1 Grand Final.

Derwent Park erupted as Forber slotted the penalty between the sticks to hand Town victory and finally see off a spirited Keighley comeback.

Everyone at the ground had their hearts in their mouths when Keighley equalised with barely any time left on the clock and the 80 minutes finished in deadlock at 16-16.

But it was the trust and reliable boot of Forber that sealed the deal and allowed all the home fans on the terracing to breathe easy – until the final in two weeks' time.

Town were in the ascendency in the first half and they put some early pressure on, a high shot on Marcus O'Brien earned them a penalty and as they turned the screw, Keighley knocked on, on their line after a Dec O’Donnell kick.

Town needed just one tackle from that set before Caine Barnes crashed over the line with three would-be Keighley defenders unable to halt him in his tracks.

Forber converted to take Town to a six point lead within four minutes.

But then there was drama at the other end of the field as a knock on from Alex Young in goal saw the ball spilled and Jack Miller pounced on it score and also converted to level the scores.

Town were forcing Keighley into errors with some resolute defence on a damp surface and looked the more dangerous of the two sides.

O'Donnell looked to force his way over but instead won a goal-line drop-out. And this was the momentum Town needed as Fitzsimmons offloaded to Brad Holroyd and the fullback glided in to touch down, with Forber converting the score for 12-6.

Mistakes were creeping in from both sides and it was taking some big defensive stints from both teams to weather the storm.

Keighley had four sets attacking the line but the home side was up to the task and an obstruction call from the referee from a Miller ball relieved the pressure.

Town then forced a knock on 10-yards out and a cut out pass from Henson saw Barnes go over for his second try of the afternoon.

Forber dragged the kick wide but after 29 minutes Town were 16-6 ahead.

The final 10 minutes of the half saw chances for both sides but the scoreline remained at the break.

A Doran boot to start the second half had too much on it and Town had to drop out from under their sticks.

Keighley looked like a side with a point to prove and they upped the pressure as Town were forced to drop out again.

And in the end it paid off for them as Charlie Graham touched down on 48 minutes but a rare missed conversion from Miller saw the gap at six points.

Some last gasp defending was required to keep the Cougars at bay and the pressure was mounting on both sides, which showed with errors creeping into the game.

Barnes tried to push Town ahead when he broke free up the centre of the field but he had no support and was pulled down just over the halfway mark.

Keighley then began to turn the screw again and they forced a goal-line drop-out before Jake Webster knocked on.

Town did nothing with their set as Keighley held firm.

Then, with two minutes to go, the game changed as the Cougars' Kyle Kesik took advantage of a scramble after a kick to touch down near the posts.

The extras were added by Miller and the game was all level, forcing the two sides into golden point extra time.

Town were on the attack closing in on the Cougars line when a high shot on Holroyd was caught by the referee and he gave a penalty.

Up stepped Forber and the rest is history – now Town have to compose themselves and get ready for a shot at promotion in the Grand Final.

Man of the Match Connor Fitzsimmons

Attendance 988.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths (Widnes)