Whitehaven came out on top in the League One play-off semi-final in one of the longest games ever played in rugby league history.

A drop goal from Steve Roper in the 105th minute gave Haven a 21-20 win over York City Knights.

It sets up an all-Cumbrian final next Sunday at Barrow’s Craven Park.

Whitehaven general manager Amanda Hewer said: “People are still checking but we believe it to be the longest game ever played in professional rugby league.

“There was a pro game in Australia about 20 years ago which lasted 104 minutes and there may have been longer games at amateur level.”

The sides were locked together at 20-20 after the normal 80 minutes, and ten minutes each way still could not separate them.

Then, after five minutes of looking for a golden point, Roper landed the field goal which earned Haven the win.

Player-coach Carl Forster said: “I didn’t even look when Steve took the drop on. I shut my eyes and it was the cheers of the crowd which told me he had done it.

“My first thought was of relief that we had done it, but also commiserations to York who had run us so close for so long.

“I’m really proud of the effort put in by all the boys to get through a very hard game.

“York are an excellent attacking team and it was so important, after the start they made, that we got back into it before half time.”

Haven had led 12-10 at the break, pulled away to 20-10 and then saw their advantage erased as York came back level.

Although the City Knights outscored Haven by four tries to three, goal-kicker Connor Robinson crucially missed two conversions.

By contrast, Haven’s marksman Paul Crook nailed four out of four.

Forster, now looking ahead to Sunday’s final, said: “I was made-up to win Coach of the Year but I would gladly give that up if we could clinch promotion.

“We have made a dressing room pledge to prepare properly for Sunday which means no celebatory ale which there might have been normally after a win like this.

“It was a draining game of rugby over 105 minutes so we want to be properly restored and prepared for next Sunday.”

Barrow earned their place in the final with a comfortable 62-0 home win over Newcastle Thunder.