OLDHAM'S dreams of a Challenge Cup upset were quickly dashed by a clinical first-half display from Hull KR on Sunday.

The Super League visitors raced into 20-0 lead by the break and extended their advantage in the second half as they closed out a 32-0 victory in the fifth-round clash.

But Roughyheads coach Scott Naylor applauded the "massive effort" put in by his Betfred League One outfit.

"I was very proud of the team's performance. It showed that a lot in our game is right," he said.

"For instance, they only scored one try from a play near our line, which indicated that we did a lot right in our goal-line defence.

"The disappointing thing was in our yardage defence, when we might have switched off a little bit, expecting kicks. They got us a couple of times on their last tackle with off-the-cuff stuff.

"At half time we talked about completing, getting in the game with no penalties and going set-to-set with them.

"When we do that, and the game is flowing, we look a lot better and after 15 minutes of the second half we had conceded only one more try.

"We were tough, resilient and we put in a massive effort."

Oldham pulled off a shock win against Hull KR in the Challenge Cup two years ago, and the top-tier side looked intent on setting the record straight from the opening whistle at Bower Fold.

Centre Junior Vaivai was in sensational form, pulling the strings in only his second game for Rovers.

He was the main provider of four first-half tries, scored by Adam Quinlan (2), Chris Atkin and Will Oakes, which all came following moves down the left flank.

Rovers were never quite the same once Vaivai was taken off at half time and Quinlan followed him after completing his hat-trick.

But Oldham's heads never dropped as they tackled their hearts out from start to finish.

They also had to cope with the energy-sapping affect from a penalty count that was 15-8 in favour of the Super League men.

Naylor believes their effort deserved more.

"The lads showed they wanted to play for each other and play for the club and that alone will take us a long way," he said, as Oldham, who are ninth in Betfred League One, now turn their attention to Sunday's tough trip to fifth-placed Workington Town.

"The penalty count (15-8 to Rovers) weighed heavily against us. We were often conceding back-to-back penalties and you can't do that against a Super League team.

"I would have liked to see us with a bit more chance to go at them, but we didn't get that chance because of all the penalties against us. It was refereed at Super League level.

"Our commitment, effort and sheer hard work were all first class and I'm very proud of that."

Oldham: Hooley; Eccleston, Holmes, Reid, Kershaw; Crook, Hewitt; Joy, Owen, Spencer, Bridge, Langtree, Bent. Subs: Briscoe, Jones, Hughes, Nelmes.

Hull KR: Quinlan; Shaw, Salter, Vaivai, Oakes; Atkin, Marsh; Johnson, Cator, Scruton, Walne, Tickle, Donaldson. Subs: Masoe, Blair, Greenwood, Dagger.

Referee: Gareth Hewer.

Attendance: 1,064