BROOK were forced to make six changes from their previous week's team as they hosted National Conference Premier League opposition in the first round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Despite a lively start from both sides defences remained on top throughout limiting each side to only one try.

Centre Gareth Brain opened the scoring for the visitors as he evaded three defenders from half way to score a spectacular try after 15 minutes, Phil Swallow added the conversion.

Brook seemed to have closed the gap on the half hour mark as centre Graeme Cox crossed the line in the corner. The touch-judge awarded the score only to controversially rule out the try.

Swallow increased the visitors lead with a drop goal before Andy Shaw scored to bring Brook back into the game on the hour mark, Paul Toole added the goal.

Phil Swallow extended the visitors lead as Brook were caught holding down at the play the ball. Despite the best efforts of half backs Matty Foley and Shaw, Brook could not find a way through to snatch victory.

Andy Shaw was selected as the Nexus man of the match with Jimmy Forshaw also in contention.

Leigh Miners Rangers A 32

Blackbrook A 30

A BROOK second team depleted by first team calls had victory cruelly snatched from their grasp in the last minute of this high-scoring encounter.

To compound their misery it was an error by the referee that indirectly led to Miners' last-gasp winner. The official mis-counted on Brook's last set of six forcing them to hand over early and while the visitors argued the toss the home side took advantage to score wide out and claim the spoils.

Brook led 24-18 at half-time with tries by Mark Shaw (2), Andy Bate, Phil Smith and Lee Johnson, plus two goals by the latter.

Miners hit back, making Brook pay for sloppy tackling as they grabbed two tries and a conversion to lead 28-24.

But Brook looked to have done enough to take the points when Shaw completed his hat-trick and Johnson's goal edged them ahead with five minutes to go.

Shaw took the man-of-the-match for Brook ahead of Dave Gwilliam and Lee Johnson, with veteran Phil Smith also worthy of special mention.