Coach Richard Agar claimed the correct mindset was the key after his York City Knights side crushed promotion rivals Swinton Lions.

The Knights won 48-12 at Park Lane to complete a double over the Lions and move above Sheffield Eagles, who were not in action, into second place in the LHF Healthplan National League Two table.

Barrow remained in the sole automatic promotion slot after victory at London Skolars, but Agar's men stayed on the Raiders' heels in the hope they slip up in their four remaining games.

"The key to victory yesterday was our mindset," Agar told the Evening Press. "When we turn up in this frame of mind I would back us all the way."

Preparation, Agar said, was also a factor. "I've been impressed with our work all week," he explained.

"We've trained particularly well and the build-up was good. We asked the players for it - we talked about it being a game that could either catapult us into contention for the title or propel us into the play-offs.

"It was an emphatic victory and we've now got to continue the run to the end of the year."

The Knights trailed 8-0 and 10-6 early in the first half but took a deserved two-point lead by half-time and after the break cut loose with six second-half tries while keeping a clean sheet.

"I thought at half-time we had been dominant even though we were only two points up," said Agar.

"We'd conceded an early try and struggled to get to grips with the (large) pitch, and they were prepared to throw the ball about a bit.

"At crucial stages just as we looked like getting on top we popped the cork and that was reflected on the scoreboard at half-time but I still thought we were the stronger team.

"In the second half we worked hard and controlled the ball a bit better and I thought our fitness levels on this pitch would show up, and they did. We finished very strongly."

He added: "For boosting our confidence, the victory over Barrow helped to do that, and, while last week (at Gateshead) left a lot to be desired, we won and could easily have won by more, but yesterday for me was a good indicator of whether we had recovered that confidence, composure and belief - and judging by that performance it looks like we have."

Two players who stood out in a genuine team triumph were scrum-half Danny Brough, who returned a personal 20-point haul, and centre Chris Langley.

Agar said: "I thought across the board we were excellent but from my perspective I was pleased for Danny Brough and Chris Langley. Danny has had a tough couple of months but he returned to form today and Langers showed vast improvement.

"I thought our hookers (Lee Jackson and Jim Elston) went well - Jim Elston adds so much to our squad with his enthusiasm and ability to carry out what we want, and Lee carved them up around the rucks.

"But it's unfair to single out players after that and it's hard to pick a man of the match.

"It was a dominant, emphatic victory with some good individual performances - I hope there's more to come."

One setback was an arm injury which forced Simon Friend, back after two games out injured, to come off in the first half. But it was a minor concern.

Agar explained: "He was all right to come back on but I felt we were travelling well and the guys on the field were doing the job."

Updated: 10:43 Monday, August 16, 2004