Challenge Cup: Batley Bulldogs 14-28 Castleford Tigers: Paul McShane stars as Super League side progress

Batley were on the front foot for much of the first period and led 14-8 until the final play of the half

Super League strugglers Castleford Tigers held off a gutsy Batley Bulldogs at the Mount Pleasant Stadium to move into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Cas, had won the past 28 games against their hosts, but had lost all five of their top-flight games this season.

And Bulldogs tested their resilience from the off as Dane Manning crashed over to help build an 8-0 lead.

But Cas, with Paul McShane outstanding, ran in six tries - including a fine double by Innes Senior - to progress.

Batley, just one game into their Championship league season, looked far from rusty in an entertaining first half and Dave Gibbons converted Manning's try before slotting another kick for a two-score advantage.

Cas, prompted by the quality of McShane, got on the board when Josh Simm went over in the corner and Rowan Milnes was on hand to run in their second try after Jacob Miller's astute kick was recycled.

McShane converted but the Bulldogs led once again when Brandon Moore powered over to mark his 200th career appearance in style.

Senior's typically calm finish ensured a 14-14 half-time score, however, and that was as good as it got for Batley, as Castleford's extra quality began to tell in the second half.

McShane went over from close range, Joe Westerman then spread a lovely pass out to Miller, who dummied and finished superbly in the corner for a 24-14 lead.

And Senior, on his 100th career appearance, rounded off a confidence-boosting win when he strolled over for his second try late on.

Castleford head coach Criag Lingard:

"It's good to get that first win. Habits are hard to break and a losing habit is something you don't want to get into, so to get out of it is a good feeling and we've got to take that into the Leeds game on Thursday.

"It was a banana skin - we were not expecting to come here and score 40 or 50 points.

"It's pleasing to get that monkey off our backs that we haven't won a game all season and we want to use it as a bit of a springboard."

Batley coach Mark Moxon:

"The effort was fantastic, but I knew I was going to get that because that's what they give every week.

"I guess if I'm going to be picky it was a bad time to concede a try on the stroke of half-time and in the second half - when we had periods of good ball - we just lacked the quality to take those chances."

Batley: Butterworth, Morton, Buchanan, Mitsias, Burton, White, Gibbons, Gledhill, Leak, Cooper, Manning, Walshaw, Moore.

Interchanges: Burton, G Senior, Gibbons, Ward.

Castleford: Broadbent, Simm, Hodson, Mellor, I Senior, Milnes, Miller, Hall, McShane, Westerman, Johnson, Martin, Horne.

Interchanges: Hooley, Watts, Robb, Vete.

Sin-bin: Mellor (56)

Referee: Marcus Griffiths.