In an enthralling encounter, the lead switched hands seven times with Graham Charlesworth's outstanding 90 metre solo try six minutes from time proving to be the match winner.

If Irish win at Clayton and beat Keighley Albion at home the title will be theirs.

In a tense opening, Charlesworth put the hosts ahead with a 15th minute penalty, but Rovers replied with a James Byrom try in the corner courtesy of good work from Carl Savile and Alex Muff.

Three minutes later the Irish replied as man of the match Chris Holroyd linked with Lee Brook to score on the right flank after Joss Bentley's powerful break, Charlesworth adding a fine conversion to put his side 8-4 up.

Back came Rovers with a Matty Bell try as he followed up his own kick through and added the extras for the lead at 10-8. With Kevin Dickens, Craig Miles and Steve Hall running and offloading well it was Rovers who were now threatening to take control.

However, the tenacious Irish defence, led by player coach Anthony Irvine, Luke Brown and Michael Holden, was resolute and Rovers couldn't breach the rearguard.

On the stroke of half time the Irish mounted an assault on the Rovers line with Kevin Smith, Luke Brown and Chris Muxlow all denied by last ditch tackles, though they did get some reward as Charlesworth's deadly boot brought his side back level with another penalty.

The second half began with the visitors in fine form, early pressure eventually leading to a Gareth Davies try eight minutes in.

But in typical fashion the Irish again responded, Holroyd ghosting through the defence for a try on 53 minutes, Charlesworth maintaining his impeccable kicking form with another conversion.

On 66 minutes Gareth Davies showed his undoubted class with a fine try in the corner, and though Bell crucially missed another conversion, his side now led 18-16.

The turning point came on 71 minutes as the Irish raced into a 28-18 lead with two tries in three minutes.

Try machine Michael Reed raced over from Chris Norman's excellent approach play after Holroyd had released the pacy centre, Charlesworth booting over a magnificent touchline conversion.

And on the restart Charlesworth scored what could prove the most crucial try of his career, racing the length of the field from a set play from a scrum.

His fifth kick of the afternoon looked like settling the game in the hosts' favour, but Rovers' spirit was epitomised in the final minute as Byrom crashed over for his second try.

But Bell couldn't add the extras and the final whistle left the shattered Irish to reflect on what could prove to be their most notable victory ever.