Carl says Crusaders had to work hard for latest victory
However, head coach Carl Forster felt his side was fortunate to grab a 24-point margin of victory during what turned out to be a testing afternoon.
The match was still in the balance at the midway point with the scoreline tied at 6-6, but Crusaders pulled clear in the second period to gather their seventh triumph from eight matches this season by a 30-6 outcome.
Forster told Cru TV: 'I don't think that scoreline reflects the game, to be really honest.
'I thought Keighley had a really huge dig and I just spoke to a few of their boys. They're saying that's the best they've played all year and I thought their middles took it to us and, ultimately, we just come out the other end and posted some great points towards the back end of the game.'
With almost half of the campaign completed, it remains so tight at the head of the rankings.
Crusaders have a slender one-point advantage over Workington Town and Midlands Hurricanes in the race for the top honour, while fourth-placed Rochdale Hornets are four points back.
In what is set to be a critical encounter, North Wales will welcome Rochdale to Colwyn Bay's Stadiwm CSM on Sunday and this match will mark the midway point of the League One campaign.
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