Challenge Cup: Hull KR 32-33 Castleford - Gareth O'Brien drop-goal sends Tigers through

Paul McShane's two second-half tries helped Castleford Tigers get back into the game

Castleford Tigers fought back to beat Hull Kingston Rovers 33-32 in the Challenge Cup after four periods of golden point extra time.

Rovers scored the first try through Ethan Ryan and added three more in seven first-half minutes to lead their Super League rivals 22-6 at the break.

Tigers responded, with Jordan Turner capping the visitors' comeback by levelling in the 80th minute.

Gareth O'Brien's 99th-minute drop-goal clinched Tigers' quarter-final spot.

Both teams observed a minute's silence before kick-off following the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Hull KR began strongly and their pressure paid off when Adam Quinlan spotted an overlapping run on the right-hand side by Ryan who put his team into an early 4-0 lead.

But, having won their first two games of the Super League season, Castleford responded well as a driving run from O'Brien benefited Jake Trueman, who went over.

Momentum then swung back to the home side as Quinlan went over after being found by Jez Litten and three Castleford defenders could not prevent prop Albert Vete scoring soon after.

Matt Parcell stretched the lead to 16 points at half-time but Tigers reduced the deficit to 22-18 thanks to tries from Derrell Olpherts and Paul McShane in quick succession.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Jordan Abdull put Hull back in control at 32-18 but McShane crossed for a try before supplying Turner, on the wing, and he got over the line right at the end of regulation time.

Hull KR coach Tony Smith: "People were out on their feet, I can't criticise them for their efforts. The effort from both teams was enormous.

"We made progress in a lot of areas. There was enormous improvement in our defence, we dominated the defence for big periods of the game, which was outstanding, and there were times in that match when we were in control.

"They are one of the teams people are tipping for all sorts this year so to go toe to toe with them was outstanding.

"I am pleased we were able to show what we can do but at the same time disappointed we didn't go on with it."

Castleford coach Daryl Powell: "It was a crazy game and we were fortunate to win it, to be honest.

"In the first half in particular we were really poor and Hull KR were superb. From that perspective, they probably deserved to win.

"I'm pleased we had the character to find a way back into the game but that 20 minutes of golden point, we can't drop a goal. Neither team had a great strategy to win a golden point game.

"I've been into the halves for a fair while, I think they believe me now that it can win you a game."

Hull KR: Quinlan, Hall, Ryan, Minikin, Kenny-Dowall, Lewis, Abdull, Lawler, Linnett, Johnson, King, Parcell, Sims

Interchanges: Vete, Litten, Mustapha, Keinhorst

Castleford: O'Brien, Olpherts, Mata'utia, Shenton, Turner, Richardson, Trueman, Massey, Blair, Holmes, Griffin, McShane, Millington

Interchanges: Watts, Milner, Sene-Lefao, Smith

Referee: Robert Hicks