Whitehaven face five cup finals now as they bid to stay in the hunt for a League One play-off place.

Successive away defeats at Bradford and Oldham have cost the west Cumbrians a place in the top five – down to seventh and with the poorest points differential of the sides in contention.

They are back on home soil this Sunday in an early kick-off (2pm) against Doncaster, one of the sides just ahead of them in the table.

Both the Dons and Hunslet are immediately above the Cumbrians in the table, two points better off, but both have to visit the Recreation Ground.

So, too, do Coventry Bears – spirited 40-16 losers at Workington Town on Sunday – while Haven still have to travel to Hemel Stags and York City Knights.

Hunslet travel to second-placed York on Sunday while Oldham, the third team on 28 points, travel to Newcastle Thunder.

If Carl Forster’s men can beat Doncaster this weekend, there’s a good chance that all four teams will be back level on 28 points going into the final matches.

“We have made it tough for ourselves so five big games left and nobody here has given up. It’s still so open as far as the play-offs are concerned with effectively five teams competing for three places,” said Forster.

“It was disappointing to lose in the way we did at Oldham but we have a great opportunity to bounce back on Sunday against one of our rivals for the play-offs.

“I’d just like to thank the fans who travelled with us, and have stuck with us this far. It is much appreciated and your support has been much appreciated.

“We are going to need that kind of support in the closing stages and, hopefully with the fans behind us, we can get over the line and earn ourselves a place in the play-offs."

The club is looking for a doctor to cover the games on September 9 and 16 at The Recreation Ground.

Anyone who can help is asked to ring the club on 01946 328088.