JAMES FORD has warned his York City Knights side not to expect an easy walkover in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup after they were drawn at amateurs Featherstone Lions - a team he knows rather well.

The Lions, one of three community clubs to reach round four, are the lowest ranked outfit left in the competition and are therefore huge outsiders to progress to the fifth round, at which point the bottom four in Super League enter.

But they are also Ford's own old amateur club, are coached by his former Featherstone Rovers team-mate Jamie Rooney, and are currently in buoyant mood.

"I used to play for them and when I have chance I go down to watch them," said Ford, insisting they will be no pushovers for any League One team.

"I know Jamie Rooney pretty well, as well as a couple of players. I know for a fact they will be enthusiastic, spirited, aggressive and looking forward to playing against us."

The Lions stormed to the National Conference League division three title last year with 17 wins from 18, and they have continued on that crest of a wave this year - winning at division one side Elland in the cup last weekend, after shocking premier division side Siddal and knocking out Pennine League big-guns Queens in the previous two rounds.

They are also past giant-killers in the cup, beating Doncaster in the third round in 1998 before losing to Halifax.

The Knights will obviously be massive favourites as they eye a money-spinning run in the competition, but Ford said: "They're a good team and are well-coached. They take their rugby league very seriously in Featherstone and it will be a tough game for us."

As for former Super League half-back Rooney, Ford said: "I was a young player at Featherstone Rovers when he was one of the main players in the first team. He gave me guidance as a player and I've always respected him for that.

"I've also played against him numerous times. He was a talented player, a smart player, and the Lions will be well prepared tactically by him."

A date and venue for the tie is to be confirmed but the Lions normally play at home on Saturdays and there is speculation it could be staged at Featherstone Rovers' Post Office Road ground, with the Championship side being drawn away to Whitehaven.

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup round 4 draw: North Wales Crusaders v Doncaster, Dewsbury v Newcastle Thunder, Featherstone Lions v York City Knights, Barrow v Halifax, Bradford v Workington, Normanton Knights v Batley, Leigh Miners Rangers v Oxford, Swinton v Rochdale, Sheffield v Oldham, Whitehaven v Featherstone Rovers, Leigh v London Broncos, Uni Glouc All Golds v Hunslet. Ties to be played over the weekend of March 21-22.

* LONDON Skolars full-back Aaron Small has been banned for one match after pleading guilty to the grade 'B' offence of kicking an opponent during their opening-day defeat to York in the IPro Sport League One Cup. Knights winger Nev Morrison was in the act of scoring a try when Small kicked out at him and it became an eight-point try at James Haynes added the conversion and a penalty.