Pilkington Recs kept their survival hopes alive after overturning a 20-6 deficit to draw Dewsbury Moor Maroons.

It was a Pilks side showing five changes to the side that was beaten by Dewsbury Celtic last time out. Lewis Griffiths, Koby Prescott, Nathan Livesey and Ian Mather came out of the side. Among those returning was George Hannan, who was making his first appearance of the season after a long term injury. Also returning were Phil Riley, Jon Key, Zak Hopkins, Warren Paladino and Tom Connick.

Dewsbury Moor opened the scoring early on, before Pilks hit back halfway through the first half.

A Josh O’Connell kick was allowed to bounce, and then Elliot Martin got there first and got the ball to Tyrese Daley, who scored the corner. Tom Connick missed the conversion.

The visitors then scored twice in four minutes to take a comfortable lead heading into half time.

They added to that lead in the opening exchanges of the second half, and it looked like they were pulling away.

But back came Pilks. Hannan was able to burst through the line, pass inside to Martin, who kicked inside through the middle and Ben O’Connell was able to collect cleanly and score. Connick added the conversion for a 10 point game.

Things got even more interesting as O’Connell found a gap to get another one back. Connick converted to make it a two-point game.

The comeback was well and truly on, and Pilks soon turned the game on its head. Hannan had the ball close to the line, somehow got on offload away and O’Connell scored, sparking wild celebrations among the players. Connick converted to edge Pilks in front.

They were moments away from victory when the referee gave Dewsbury Moor a penalty for a late hit. It was just over 20 metres out, just off the centre of the goal, and they were able to convert it, meaning Pilks had to settle for a point.

A point still keeps Pilks alive in the battle to avoid the drop. They gave another huge match on Saturday, as they travel to Oldham St Annes, who are also battling to avoid the drop.