Worthing Raiders gave National One leaders Doncaster Knights a real scare before going down 17-21 at a rain-drenched Roundstone Lane.

Raiders fought back from 18-3 down at half-time to score two tries in the second half but were unable to find a decisive score in the final 15 minutes.

Raiders made a positive start but were unable to convert their territorial dominance into points. They were denied a try when Doncaster managed to hold up the ball after Raiders had driven over the line with Joe Govett’s penalty there only score in the opening 15 minutes to cancel out an early kick by Douglas Flockhart for the visitors.

Doncaster then took control of the match with Tyson Lewis bursting clear from halfway to score in the left-hand corner before the visitors were awarded a penalty try after a series of infringements at a scrum by Raiders close to their own line.

Another penalty from Flockhart stretched Doncaster’s lead to 18-3 at the interval.

Raiders made the perfect start after the break as Govett darted through a gap to touch down with the conversion making it 10-18.

Flockhart kicked another penalty to extend Doncaster’s lead to 21-10 and although Charlie McGowan went over with 15 minutes to go and Govett converted to make it 17-21 Raiders were unable to break down Doncaster’s defence in the final ten minutes.