THEY didn't make it easy for themselves, but the title race is nevertheless back on.

York City Knights at times did their utmost to aid Gateshead in their quest for a first win since June 2003, before scoring three tries in the last 15 minutes to win 30-18 at 'the Thunderdome' and move to within two points of table-toppers Barrow.

The Raiders had appeared dead certs for the automatic promotion slot, but following their loss at Huntington Stadium last week and yesterday's slip-up against Swinton, it would seem all is not well at Craven Park.

Judging by their display yesterday, and notwithstanding last week's victory, things are not yet bang on track down in York either. But at least they are back on the winning trail.

Defeat would have been arguably the biggest shock of the Knights' existence and would have dealt a hammer-blow to their promotion hopes and confidence.

But, although it took them a while to see off the Tynesiders, see them off they did, the Knights' character if not their consistency deserving acclaim.

Coach Richard Agar admitted 15 minutes after the hooter that his heart was only just leaving his mouth, it having been put there by an indifferent display that allowed Gateshead to draw level at 18-18 approaching the hour-mark.

Thankfully, however, the Knights went back ahead - thanks in large part to Richard Wilson and Chris Smith, two of their better players on the day - and this lead they did not relinquish.

The former was involved in the tackle that forced a knock-on and, from the resultant attack, the latter - who has provided a new vigour at full-back following Nathan Graham's departure - did brilliantly to set up a try for Craig Farrell.

Smith's namesake, John, however, took the top plaudits, just pipping workaholic Wilson and Mick Ramsden for man of the match, while winger Austin Buchanan took the try-scoring acclamation with his second Knights hat-trick.

His third try edged York eight points ahead with just as many minutes left, the easy touchdown coming on the back of a fine set which ended with an up-and-under by Danny Brough, which beat the defence and bounced kindly towards Buchanan's corner.

The game was wrapped up five minutes later when substitute winger Rob Kama made up for some earlier errors with an excellent scramble and pass for Adam Sullivan to finish just as superbly.

These three tries were needed due to the Knights' earlier profligacy: missed chances, as well as too many turnovers, kept Gateshead in the game, while Danny Brough could only manage one conversion, albeit on a blustery day.

Hopefully, that wastefulness won't prove crucial if top-spot boils down to points difference.

Agar had kept faith with the side that beat Barrow, with Chris Spurr debuting on the bench in place of departed loanee Carl Stannard, and all looked well when, after a clean opening by both sides, hooker Jim Elston put York ahead with a typical individual try from 40 metres out.

A superb length-of-the-field set then ended with one of those swirling Brough bombs, which the defence misjudged for Buchanan to pounce for his first try. Brough goaled, but the floodgates did not open.

A mix-up between Chris Smith and Ramsden gave Gateshead the platform to hit back as Steve Morton nearly wriggled through before Stephen Bradley did cross, and on 37 minutes a wonderful impromptu up-and-under by substitute prop Paul Dodsworth - better known to York rugby fans as a York Acorn amateur, who was effective during his albeit short time on the field - was caught brilliantly by William Massey, who was untouched to the line.

In between the two home tries, however, York missed a bagful. Buchanan dropped a high Elston pass with the line begging, then was deemed offside when involved in a disallowed Ramsden try; an ambitious Farrell pass inside went to ground, as did an Andrews' pass outside; Buchanan just failed to gather a hack when an 80-yard interception try looked possible; and a man over was wasted as Brough miss-timed his pass.

Nonetheless, York did go back ahead before the break. Elston was held on his back after a trademark run but from the play-the-ball, Rhodes fed John Smith to blast over.

After the interval, the otherwise impressive Darren Callaghan wasted another chance close to the line, but the Knights nevertheless upped their lead through an 80-yard interception try by pace ace Buchanan.

At the other end, Kama dropped a bomb with his first touch after coming on and was made to pay as, following the scrum, Stephen Rutherford stepped through the line, Paul Thorman's third conversion levelling matters.

However, the Knights showed the resolve to win it. Elston and Ramsden went within millimetres and, while Gateshead never gave up, the three late tries decided it.

Thunder: Stephenson, Mor-ton, Neighbour, Firth, Peers, P Thorman, Ruther-ford, Line, N Thor- man, Staveley, Mcdonald, Brown, Bradley. Subs (all used): Guthrie, Massey, Ball, Dodsworth.

Tries: Bradley 19; Massey 37; Rutherford, 54. Conversions: P Thorman 19, 37, 54.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Knights: C Smith 8, Buchanan 7, Langley 6, Callag-han 7, Farrell 7, Rhodes 7, Brough 6, Wilson 8, Elston 8, Sozi 7, Rams-den 8, Andrews 7, Cain 7. Subs (all used): Sullivan 7, Kama 5, Spurr 6, J Smith 8.

Tries: Elston 11; Buchanan 16, 47, 72; J Smith 39; Farrell 65; Sullivan 77.

Con: Brough 16.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Man of the match:

John Smith - worked like a true Trojan, matching crunching tackles with bone-shaking hit-ups, all rewarded with a well-taken first try for the club.

HT: 12-14

Referee: Phil Bentham (Bolton).

Rating: Okay in the first half but made a few basic errors in the second, though can't be blamed for one ludicrous decision by a touch judge, who deemed a Knights player in touch after apparently mistaking football pitch corner-kick markings for the touchline.

Penalty count: 15-11

Gamebreaker: Austin Buchanan's hat-trick try put the Knights two scores ahead with eight minutes left.

Attendance: 429

Weather watch: Sunny but with quite a strong breeze.

Match rating: Nailbiting and hard-going at times, but enjoyable.

Updated: 10:07 Monday, August 09, 2004