North Wales Crusaders' hopes of having their controversial 19-18 defeat to Hunslet overturned have been ended.

The Wrexham club were left outraged when referee Andy Sweet awarded Hunslet a decisive late point despite Cain Southerwood's drop-goal falling well beneath the crossbar.

Following last Sunday's game, Crusaders CEO Andy Moulsdale led the calls for RFL officials to review the decision, claiming that the magnitude of the error warranted an intervention.

But a statement from the governing body's Head of Match Officials, Steve Ganson, has dismissed the club's request.

Ganson said: “Following on from an in-depth review of the game, it is clear that the referee made an error of judgement and incorrectly awarded a match-winning drop goal to Hunslet RLFC.

"We continuously review the performances of our match officials and, whilst are keen to emphasise that the job is extremely difficult and challenging, on this occasion the referee fell short of the standards expected.”

In setting out its operational rules for 2018, the RFL states that: 'in relation to any on field matter, the match official's decision shall be final.'

Furthermore, Section B2:12 of the code also states that clubs wishing to object to a result of a match, 'shall not be entitled to object to a result on the grounds of a match official's decision(s).'

The Crusaders return to action on Sunday when they host League One rivals Whitehaven at the Queensway Stadium.