Dave Clark hailed all 19 of his players as “heroes” after watching them push full-time Huddersfield Giants all the way in West Yorkshire on Saturday.

Workington boss Clark had every reason to be proud as his mix of seasoned part-timers and locally-based trialists came within five minutes of beating the Super League outfit.

Despite a late converted Giants try condemning League One Town to a second narrow defeat in eight days, it was the handful of hardy travelling fans who were left singing at the end of a keenly-contested encounter, played in less than hospitable conditions.

Both sides touched down three times with Izaac Farrell’s two conversions to Carl Forber’s one proving the difference in the final outcome.

Yet it was a truly commendable effort and, following the 16-14 defeat, Clark said: “It was a good challenge as it was always going to be tough coming to Huddersfield but we needed to take a step up from last week’s performance and we did.

“The boys had better shape, were better going forward and looked to have more control of the ball.”

New signing Stuart Howarth – the only Town player with significant Super League experience – and Kells’ former BARLA international Ben Milburn made their first appearances in blue and white and neither disappointed.

Clark said: “Stu stamped his authority on the game and showed what he can provide.

“He’s going to be massive for us and Ben ran some great lines and broke the line a few times.

“Tom Curwen’s work ethic was outstanding, Stevie Scholey showed great effort and did those little things that you need, Sam Dowsett, Perry Singleton… they were all heroes!”