Huddersfield Giants will play in Super League in 2017 a thanks to a Danny Brough drop goal.

Rick Stone's side did it the hard way - they led 22-4 at half-time but blew that lead and at 22-22 were going into the 'million pound game" but minutes from time up popped Brough with the crucial drop goal that earned a 23-22 victory.

The Giants made only one change to their squad of 17 who had notched a 22-14 win over Leeds Rhinos in the previous round.

Former New Zealand international prop Sam Rapira, who sustained a head injury against the Rhinos, was not risked with Nathan Mason taking his place on the bench.

The Giants got the perfect start as a hopelessly misjudged Terry Campese pass was intercepted by Ryan Brierley and the half back dashed 70 yards to score and Danny Brough added the goal.

Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants, 24/09/16: Huddersfield Giants' Leroy Cudjoe celebrates scoring his sides second try.
Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants, 24/09/16: Huddersfield Giants' Leroy Cudjoe celebrates scoring his sides second try.

However, he home side were applying the majority of the pressure and after two drop outs the Giants line was breached when The Robins second rower Bobby Blair forced his way over the line, but Josh Mantellato pulled the kick wide.

The Giants were struggling to get a foothold in the contest but on 25 minutes scrum half Brierley found a gap and ripped through the Robins cover and sent Leroy Cudjoe racing in for a try at the posts and Brough added the goal to put the Giants two scores in the clear.

That gap increased within minutes as Ryan Hinchcliffe freed Tom Symonds and his pass put Brierley over the line and Brough made it three from three attempts at goal.

The Robins then had full-back Ben Cockayne sent to the sin-bin for holding down in the tackle and the visitors finished the first period at a canter when a quick pass by Scott Grix was flipped on by Joe Wardle and Aaron Murphy was free to put the ball down over the line.

Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants, 24/09/16: Huddersfield Giants' Ryan Brierley scores his sides third try.
Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants, 24/09/16: Huddersfield Giants' Ryan Brierley scores his sides third try.

Brough failed with the kick but at half-time the Giants were cruising at 22-4.

The Robins controlled the opening ten minutes of the second half forcing the Giants to twice drop out but the frustration of the home crowd was escalating until Ken Sio finally found a route around the outside to touch down and Mantellato added the goal.

And Mantellato was on target again minutes later after Mitch Allgood won the race to touchdown a kick which evaded the Giants defence.

A high tackle on Tom Symonds gave Brough a shot at goal from a penalty but his effort hit the post.

That miss was compounded when soon after Jermaine McGillvary lost a high kick under pressure from Mantellato and Iain Thornley dabbed down the loose ball and Mantellato's goal drew the scores level at 22-22 -putting Hull KR in third place in the Middle 8s table and safely into Super League 2017.

Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants, 24/09/16: Huddersfield Giants celebrate scoring their fourth try.
Hull KR v Huddersfield Giants, 24/09/16: Huddersfield Giants celebrate scoring their fourth try.

The Giants had to react and Brough took on the role of saviour with a drop goal as time was running out and put the Giants back in the position of missing the agony of playing the million pound game next weekend.

Back came the Robins and Campese fired in a drop goal attempt but it hit the post much to the relief of the Giants.

They had to survive even more drama as The Robins looked to have broken clear for a try in the corner but they were pulled back and a penalty was awarded to the Giants.

Seconds later the travelling fans were celebrating with a chant of "We are staying up' as the Giants retained their Super League status.

Hull KR: Cockayne; Sio, Minns, Thornley, Mantellato; Campese, Marsh; Tilse, Lunt, Allgood, Blair, Clarkson, Donaldson.

Interchange: Greenwood, Walker, Peacock, Jubb

Giants: Grix; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Connor, Murphy; Brough, Brierley; Huby, Hinchcliffe, Ta'ai, Wardle, Symonds, Lawrence.

Interchange: K Wood, Mason, Roberts, Ikahihifo

Referee: Robert Hicks