The Huddersfield Giants notched up another win on the road as they enhanced their chances of a top four finish.

While not as convincing as their victories at Hull FC and Salford Red Devils, the success was again produced on the back of strong defensive work.

A crucial try from Ukuma Ta’ai just before half-time gave the Giants the breathing room they needed, and they had enough courage to see it through with Eorl Crabtree grabbing a late clincher.

The tussle between teams who suffered Challenge Cup nightmares – the Tigers being beaten 40-14 at Hull FC and the Giants 48-16 at Leeds – featured changes in both line-ups.

Castleford were able to bring back fit- again duo Denny Solomona, who returned on the left wing, and Frankie Mariano in the second row.

Giants head coach Paul Anderson’s adapting to defeat proved more radical as Jake Connor went in at centre alongside Aaron Murphy, making room for Jodie Broughton on the wing as Leroy Cudjoe missed out through a knee injury suffered at Headingley.

In the pack, Academy product Kruise Leeming was handed his chance at hooker as Luke Robinson, recently returned from a back injury, took a place on the bench.

Former Castleford player Jamie Ellis and Michael Lawrence were left out of the Giants side.

Castleford were faster out of the blocks and within two minutes Mirfield referee Richard Silverwood had gone to the ‘square in the air’ as a kick through by Tigers skipper Michael Shenton was chased down, but the video officials Ben Thaler and Steve Ganson ruled a Giants hand had got the first touch to concede a drop out.

For the first quarter it was a question of who would manage to wrestle control and the break went the way of the Giants on 21 minutes when pressure led to former Tigers favourite Craig Huby pushing his way through at the line. Again the decision went to the technical match officials and, with the home crowd convinced the ball had been knocked on over the line, the call went Giants’ way and skipper Danny Brough added the goal.

Having gained the advantage the visitors were not shy of building on it and on 26 minutes they had increased their lead as the video refs again made the decision.

Brough’s angled kick to the corner was contested by Jermaine McGillvary and his Tigers opposite number, Denny Solomona, and the ball broke loose for Aaron Murphy to react first and touch down – scoring on his 150th first-class appearance.

Brough again added the goal and all of a sudden the home side were chasing the game.

But the Tigers finally got over the line after two penalty decisions allowed them to mount pressure on the Giants line and Jake Webster scored, but Luke Gale failed to add the goal.

Three minutes from half time the Giants made sure their efforts were rewarded again as they hit back.

Former Castleford forward Brett Ferres made the decisive break and as the Tigers struggled to regroup, Ukuma Ta’ai battered his way over the line and Brough’s goal made it 18-4.

Castleford looked to get their foot back in the door early in the second half and they thought they had made in-roads into the Giants lead after just two minutes.

A neat break saw Ben Roberts dive for the line but Leeming managed to turn the Tigers attacker over and denied him the try.

Roberts was not to be denied and on 48 minutes his next charge broke the line and he went in for a try to which Luke Gale added the conversion.

However, the Tigers momentum was rocked by an injury to Mariano, with the Castleford forward being carried from the pitch.

A feud that had started in the first half between Giants’ Brett Ferres and Tigers’ Ryan Bailey continued in the second half and a penalty conceded by Ferres after another altercation set the home side up for a try on 66 minutes, when skipper Michael Shenton cut inside from the flank to leave the visitors flat-footed.

Gale added the goal to reduce the arrears to two points and the home side had big hopes.

The Giants managed to exert some pressure, forcing a drop out, but the cutting edge of the first period was lacking going into the final minutes until Crabtree burrowed his way in from close range.

Again the decision went ‘upstairs’ and after a long deliberation, the try was given.

Brough added the goal and then turned the screw with a couple of kicks that turned Castleford on their heels and back to their own line, when they wanted to be heading in the other direction.

Huddersfield Giants Under 19s play St Helens tomorrow at the Dram Centre (2pm).

Giants squad: Jared Simpson, Darnell McIntosh, Zack McComb, Will Gledhill, Jamie Stringer, Jordan Brown, Harry Redfearn, Elliot Morris, Connor Redgwick, Mikey Wood, Harry Woollard, Isaac Noi, Jack Etchells, Keiron Reilly, Sam Wood, Will Carlos, Harry Moorland, Matty English, Izaac Farrell