MICK Cook lauded the mental toughness in his York City Knights side after they came from behind in a top-of-the-table thriller to take a firm grip on the title race.

The Knights trailed 14-0 at half-time away to Dewsbury but won 23-15 in a breathtaking finale decided by a last-minute penalty and stoppage-time try.

The result increased their lead at the top of LHF National League Two to three points ahead of Dewsbury with five games to go.

Cook said: "At half-time I said we could either stand up and be counted or lay down and die. I don't think we've got that kind of lay down and die attitude and so it proved.

"The second half was a massive arm wrestle. Both sides squandered possession. It was a mind game and a big mental test. You've got to have mental toughness in these games and our players were very strong mentally in the second half."

He added: "These are games you want to play in, the games that challenge you as a person. You've got to earn everything in this competition.

"It was a tough game from two committed teams. In the first half we struggled a bit and gave far too much away. We knew we had to produce something in the second half.

"I was still confident at half-time. We had to stop giving as much ball away and build pressure, which we did.

"I thought our defence was outstanding all game. With the territory and possession Dewsbury had in the first half we had to work hard, but they didn't look like breaking us on the edges or punching holes and they scored all three tries from inside the ten.

"Then to keep Dewsbury scoreless in a half, barring a drop goal, is a good effort - I don't think that has happened or will happen again this season."

It was the second consecutive game in which the fans had endured a nerve-racking last-minute win.

Cook said: "It was first versus second away from home and if you've got to win games in the 80th minute, it doesn't really matter. It was a thriller right to the end."

Dewsbury coach Andy Kelly was magnanimous in defeat, though it can be inferred he was not happy with the officials.

He said: "I think it wasn't always in the players' control to win that game. I think other people influenced the game. I can't say who.

"We were in control in the first half but a 5-0 penalty count and a dubious try in the corner probably changed the game, but then I'm the defeated coach and I would probably be biased."

As for Neil Law's controversial try, which brought York back to 14-10, Cook replied: "The nearest person was the tough judge and he thought it was good. You can question referees but a lot of times you've got to watch the video before you open your mouth because a lot of the time the referees are right. They've got to look at hundreds of split-second actions and make decisions. It's a difficult job."

Updated: 10:28 Monday, August 01, 2005