Coach Leon Pryce paid tribute to an heroic effort from his patched up Workington Town side as they ran Swinton Lions close in the Championship decider.

The lead changed several times as both clubs battled to clinch a place in next year’s Championship but, in the end, Swinton just had too much in the tank in the final stages as they won 33-20.

Town played the majority of the game with only one fit body on the subs bench and that showed in the latter stages.

Ollie Wilkes and Sean Penkywicz only managed one short stint apiece due to injury and it was a real effort from the rest of the players to push Swinton so close.

Town coach Pryce said he wasn’t disappointed by the result as he was proud of the effort and commitment shown across the park and on the terraces, with a strong Town following.

"I’m not disappointed, it’s just a shame that we didn’t have a full team but we can’t complain too much," said Pryce.

"I thought all the boys were unbelievable. Ollie Wilkes had pulled his calf and didn’t last two minutes but we had put Penky and Ollie on just to give it a go and see if they had anything, but they had nothing.

"There were guys willing to play without an acl, John Patrick has no acl, and faces nine months out but was willing to play today.

"It was just an heroic effort from an unbelievable set of lads."

Town were leading part way through the second half 20-16 after the try of the game for Tyllar Mellor.

But Swinton were quick to equalise and then, when they bagged a converted try and a drop-goal, the writing was on the wall for Workington.

However, they didn’t give up in a real battling display and nearly went over in the dying seconds.

There were some superb performances with Jamie Doran attacking well and Tyler Dickinson running his blood to water in the pack.

Pryce congratulated Swinton on their win and said now his side has to look towards next season, after enjoying a break.

He added: "I’d like to congratulate Swinton, they were in the same boat as us and it wasn’t a good situation for either club.

"I thought it was a fair game and they deserved to win. This was just, for me, 13 fit blokes giving everything they had."

Swinton coach Stuart Littler said: "Big respect to the Workington crowd. They travelled in good numbers. The boys in their team stood up and respect to those who played injured."