YORK City Knights boss Mick Cook has stressed his table-toppers can rely only on themselves if their title tilt is to be triumphant.

The Knights' chances of taking the sole automatic promotion spot in LHF National League Two were boosted yesterday as they won 32-14 at London Skolars while title rivals Swinton fell to a second consecutive shock league loss, at home to lowly Gateshead.

Those results followed a defeat for contenders Workington at Sheffield 24 hours earlier, and it all leaves only Dewsbury within two points of York at the top, going into a vital period in the season in which the Knights face Workington, Keighley and Swinton on consecutive weekends.

But Cook said: "We can't bank on other teams getting beaten if we are to do well. We have to bank on our own results.

"It's nice when some fixtures go against the grain and rival teams don't get the results but with this level of competition that can happen.

"Sheffield look like they've turned a corner and that makes the competition even more interesting for everybody.

"Swinton got beat convincingly by Hull KR (in the Northern Rail Cup), which could have made a bit of a hole, and then they lost to Hunslet then Gateshead, who are both physical sides.

"It gives us that four-point cushion to Swinton and Workington, but we still know what we've got to do."

The Knights suffered another batch of injuries in the capital yesterday - Paul Thorman suffered a suspected stomach muscle tear, Ian Kirke bruised a forearm, Dan Potter picked up an ankle problem and Mick Ramsden a dead-leg - but this forthcoming free weekend gives them a fortnight to get ready for the trip to Workington.

Said Cook: "I've said before that these breaks (in the fixture list) don't help the competition, and it's frustrating for teams wanting to build on performances or put right poor performances, but I suppose this week off does give them (the injured players) a bit of a cushion."

The Knights boss described his side's display yesterday against a side in the bottom two as "a bit patchy" but praised their work-rate in earning the spoils in front of a record New River crowd.

"We expected a tough game and got one," he said. "Skolars are a big, physical side and caused us problems. We had to work hard to break them down.

"They're very strong going forward, with strong, direct players and they asked us questions. They back themselves physically and we had to work hard defensively and use up a lot of gas to hold them."

Cook had special praise for substitute forward David Bates, who "had his best game for the club".

"I thought he had two great stints," he said. "He was out of action for a while but he's been working hard in training and particularly closely with (assistant coach, former Great Britain prop) Paul Broadbent.

"We were lacking a bit of go-forward at the time and he came on and showed how it's done.

"On and off I thought they all performed. We played in fits and starts and never really clicked and opened up, but we're happy with the points."

Updated: 10:46 Monday, June 13, 2005