Hull Kingston Rovers survived a stirring second-half fightback by the Catalans Dragons to secure a vital engage Super League win at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Clint Greenshields' early try put the home side ahead but Justin Morgan’s side rocked the Catalans with their response.

Rovers replied to stunning effect with four quick tries. 

Scott Murrell's kick set up Mark Lennon for the first and, with Catalans on the back foot, Stanley Gene, Ian Hardman and Mark O'Neill also crossed as Rovers carved out a 16-point half-time lead.

But Catalans regained their composure and came back strongly after the break.

Two Younes Khattabi tries and one by Stacey Jones closed the gap and ensured a nervous finish for Rovers.

But Thomas Bosc's missed conversions turned out to be the difference between the sides as Morgan’s relegation-threatened outfit hung on for a win.

It was only Rovers’ third win in 16 matches and it was achieved without injured playmaker Paul Cooke.

Rovers ran Catalans ragged in the final 20 minutes of the first half.

There had been little sign of the storm to come when Greenshields claimed his early try and Bosc tagged on the conversion.

But Lennon and Gene exposed gaps on the left hand side of the Catalans’ defence to score the tries that gave Rovers the initiative with Lennon landing one conversion.

Rovers showed that they were equally deadly on the opposite wing with Hardman and then O'Neill going over. Lennon added two more goals to give the visitors a 22-6 lead.

That margin could have been cut drastically had it not been for Ben Cockayne and Lennon's last-ditch tackling which denied Khattabi twice in the closing stages of the first half.

But the winger was not to be denied after the break, claiming tries in the 49th minute and on the hour to set up a tense finale.

The Dragons were in complete control but Rovers defended like their lives depended on it.

Dragons playmaker Stacey Jones spun his way to the line to cut the gap to two points but Rovers hung on.