Tony Smith believes the pain Hull KR suffered in the win over Leigh Centurions will benefit his side in the long run.
Rovers were in control at the break and held a 24-10 lead in the early stages of the second half.
But KR’s composure deserted them as they lost Albert Vete and George Lawler to yellow cards, which allowed Leigh to turn the game on its head.
The Centurions led 28-24 heading into the final 10 minutes but Smith’s men dug deep to win it late on thanks to tries from Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Ryan Hall.
“There was some ugly rugby league, a lack of control by both teams and it was a bit helter-skelter,” said Smith, whose team have leapfrogged rivals Hull FC into fifth spot.
“You have those days. We had some personnel changes as well as some other obstacles we had to overcome.
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“Going down to 11 men was enormous and tests most teams’ resolve.
“The other thing we haven’t had to do too much of in the past is come from behind to win games. It is something we need to do.
“It wasn’t planned that way and I didn’t set it up on purpose that way. It wasn’t part of our tactics to go behind.
“But it will do us good. It was great experience. We were up against a dangerous team. They were as strong as I have seen on paper before the game. “
After going into the match without key men Adam Quinlan and Jordan Abdull, Rovers lost Dean Hadley inside five minutes after the forward dislocated his shoulder.
Smith confirmed afterwards that Hadley’s season is over in another major blow.
“They were unable to get it back in unfortunately so he’s been taken to hospital,” said the Rovers head coach.
“This puts things in perspective and is also why we’re all not going to be too critical of our performance today.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (4) of Hull KR celebrates scoring a try with Rowan Milnes (25)
(Image: Simon Whitehead/News Images)
“We’ve lost Deano for the rest of the year and we’re gutted for him. Everybody knows how much effort he puts into the game and how he would have influenced the game.
“He’s a wholehearted player and puts everything on the line every time he goes on the park.
“For his season to finish early like Quinny’s, we just had a little bit of a sit down and an appreciation of those players.”
Mikey Lewis was also forced off in the closing stages with a head injury which could rule him out of Friday’s game against Wigan Warriors.
“He’s got a concussion at the moment,” said Smith. “He came out by the end of the game so hopefully he’s OK.”
