THERE was something in the sea air in Blackpool yesterday - and it felt like the beginning of a promotion party.

The Panthers scored first to suggest this would not be the stroll down the prom many pundits predicted, and for a while their defence belied their bottom-of-the-table status.

But after York City Knights hit back half way through the first period, the LHF National League Two leaders turned on the burners to run through a beleaguered home side five times before the break to set the platform for a victory which upped the gap at the top to five points with four games left.

Of course, York have developed a habit of occasionally doing things the hard way, so no-one can rule out any more twists. But they need to lose three of their remaining games to fall off top spot - so surely even those who refuse to count chickens can at least dust off their abacuses.

Second-placed Dewsbury had lost at Sheffield on Friday, while Hunslet - one of York's biggest tests of the run-in - had their slim title hopes all but ended by Swinton. And away from rugby, England had beaten Australia in one of the great Test matches.

It was thus a day to enjoy, despite early exchanges which saw Ian Kirke - who later came off after a bang to the knee - knock-on on his own 20 to allow Blackpool an attack which ended with Liam McGovern's clever grubber coming off an upright for Steve Ormesher to score.

McGovern then booted a huge 40-20 but missed a drop goal attempt, while at the other end, York were held up at the line five times as Blackpool showed a determination not often associated with league stragglers.

However, there was no need to worry. The tiring home defence became sufficiently stretched for Lee Paterson to put Neil Law in, with Paul Thorman, who had been prominent in York's attacking, booting his first of seven conversions.

Then the other half-back, Chris Levy, put York ahead by sending Dan Potter away on a fine run and being on the follow-up to cross.

The penalty count was eking up against the hosts and from the next free-kick, Levy's grubber found Lee Jackson on the chase.

York were now full of it, never more so than when Chris Ross dived into the corner to finish a wonderful handling move.

A fifth try in 14 minutes came as Thorman's perfect cross-field kick found Potter in goal and, although some excellent play by Martin Gambles set up a touchdown for Angus Martin at the other end, the Knights led 28-12 at half-time and were on their way.

Given York's tendency to not do things the easy way, a few fans refused to get carried away at the break. This time, though, the second half was much easier on the nerves.

Jim Elston scooted in from acting-half for a trademark try and, while Mick Cook will not be happy with the way Gambles was allowed to dart like a rabbit from a scrum to the line, there were no heart-stopping moments like in recent weeks.

The match was lifted on the introduction of winger Austin Buchanan - who received a hero's welcome after his six-month injury nightmare - an hour in, and he was immediately involved in a try, albeit in a supporting role.

John Smith broke down the left and, while he looked for Buchanan on his shoulder, realised he had the pace to reach the corner himself.

It wasn't plain sailing, mind, a fact underlined by Willie Swann's super try by the flag and a few too many handling errors, but there was no late biting of nails, with three late tries flattering the scoreline a tad.

Jackson spotted a huge gap and sent Adam Sullivan through, man of the match Elston bamboozled the defence on his 40-yard way to the line from a scrum for the day's best individual try, and Blaymire greedily ignored a two-man overlap for a bit of deserved personal glory following good play from Ross.

LHF National League Two

Sunday, August 7, 2005

at Bloomfield Road

Knights: Blaymire 9, Ross 7, Potter 8, Law 8, Fox 8, Levy 7, P Thorman 8, Forsyth 7, Jackson 8, Sullivan 8, J Smith 9, Kirke 7, Paterson 7.

Subs (all used): Elston 9, Buchanan 7, Callaghan 9, Ward 8.

Tries: Law 20; Levy 25; Jackson 28; Ross 30; Potter 34; Elston 45, 75; Smith 61; Sullivan 73; Blaymire 80.

Conversions: P Thorman 20, 25, 28, 34, 45, 73, 75.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Blackpool: Kilgannon, Andrews, Tipene, Grundy, Johnstone, McGovern, Gambles, Martin, Roden, Balmer, G Smith, Ormesher, Swann.

Subs (all used): Rowland, Rowley, Lomax, Williams.

Tries: Ormesher 5; Martin 40; Gambles 50; Swann 64.

Conversions: Johnstone 5, 40; Andrews 50.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Jim Elston - the substitute hooker scored two individual tries, the second an absolute cracker, and caused Blackpool countless problems throughout.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham). Rating: All right.

Penalty count: 4-8.

HT: 12-28.

Gamebreaker: When Chris Ross dived over in the corner to finish a wonderful team try on the half-hour mark, it not only opened a decent gap but also underlined the Knights' class.

Attendance: 630.

Weather watch: Fresh seaside sun with a little seaside breeze.

Match rating: Blackpool were no bottom-of-the-pile mugs and did their bit in an entertaining game.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, August 08, 2005