TWO TRIES either side of the break from Lewis Charnock helped set Barrow Raiders on their way to a 20-0 victory over Keighley Cougars in Saturday evening's Challenge Cup fourth-round tie at Craven Park.

Persistent rain and a heavy pitch meant conditions were never going to be conducive for a free-flowing exhibition of rugby league, so it was little surprise the first 40 minutes were something of a war of attrition.

But Charnock broke the deadlock just before the hooter sounded for half time and was in again three minutes after play resumed, with further scores from Shane Toal and Declan Hulme ensuring the hosts progressed to round five.

The Raiders went into the match with an unchanged 17-man squad from the one which beat Coventry Bears 50-14in Kingstone Press League One the previous Sunday, although there was little chance of them racking up a similar scoreline.

Likewise, Keighley were aiming to rebound from a shock defeat away to University of Gloucestershire All Golds in the league and their robust defence was an indication head coach Craig Lingard had sent them out with the clear message to tighten up.

The fact Ollie Wilkes and Joe Bullock had all of the first four carries of the match, followed by Jamie Dallimore kicking to the corner, was an early sign of what could be expected from both teams and it became something of a forwards battle.

Keighley had several good opportunities to break the deadlock they were unable to take though, with Harry Aaronson knocking on over the line from Matty Beharrell's high kick on the quarter-hour mark and Jarrad Stack making a last-gasp tackle to haul down Adam Ryder when he looked to be clean through.

At the other end, Ryan Fieldhouse knocked on over the line when Dallimore put him through, but the hosts snatched the lead just before the hooter sounded for the interval when Charnock burst through a gap to score, with his half-back partner kicking the extras to put Barrow 6-0 up at half time.

Then when Jarrad Stack won the ball back for the Raiders from the restart, it set up a move which led to Charnock forcing his way over from close range near to the posts, allowing Dallimore to slot over the conversion again.

Two unconverted tries in the space of four minutes then made certain of Barrow's progress, with Hulme setting up winger Toal to score in the corner on the hour mark and then going from provided to scorer himself after spying a gap and darting through.

The Raiders now look forward to Tuesday's draw, which is being made on BBC Radio Five Live's Breakfast Show after 7.45am, and the possibility of drawing one of the four Super League teams which come in at this stage.

Barrow Raiders: Ryan Fieldhouse; Shane Toal, Declan Hulme, Andy Litherland, Luke Cresswell; Lewis Charnock, Jamie Dallimore; Joe Bullock, Nathan Mossop, Ollie Wilkes, Jarrad Stack, Bradd Crellin, Martin Aspinwall. Interchange: Dan Abram, Andrew Dawson, Tom Walker, James Duerden.

Keighley Cougars: Harry Aaronson; Vinny Finigan, Danny Lawton, Adam Ryder, Andy Gabriel; Will Milner, Matty Beharrell; Matthew Bailey, James Feather, Fran Welsh, Josh Lynam, Josh Tonks, Mike Emmett. Interchange: Brendon Rawlins, Adam Brook, Nathan Kitson, Ben Sagar.

Referee: Gareth Hewer.