Wisbech picked up their first away of the season in dramatic, if controversial, circumstances.

With 10 minutes to go and Wisbech trailing Crusaders 18-17, the referee called the two captains together as he was concerned with player safety in the failing light.

The referee wanted to abandon the game but Wisbech skipper Solomon Prestidge stood his ground and asked for more time.

The referee agreed to a further five minutes, which was long enough for the visitors to snatch the most dramatic of wins.

De La Rey Veenendaal made a break then, after a number of offloads, the ball was fed along the backs, with Sam Anderson on hand to round off an excellent team move.

Immediately after Jack Malkin slotted over the conversion the referee blew for time, much to the annoyance of the hosts, to give Wisbech a 24-18 win.

Wisbech’s other tries came from Prestidge, James Napier and Nathan Goodale.

Manager Cliff Humphreys said: “Prestidge gave a captains’ performance and Veenendaal showed his class in the backs but it was an excellent team performance each and every squad member played his part.

“The only down side was that hooker Kerrie McMullen suffered a nasty cut to his forehead for which he was taken to hospital for stitches.

“Coach Leonard Veenendaal was naturally very pleased with the result. We now need to build on the improvement we have shown over the past two week and put in a performance against Newmarket in our next league game at home on December 6.”

Wisbech Wildcats produced an improved second half performance but lost 26-8 to Beccles II. A David Brodie snipe brought the Wildcats their try.

The Wildcats travel to March Bears on Saturday for the first leg of the Jack Arch Cup, kick-off 2pm.