OLDHAM boss Scott Naylor has hit back as York City Knights head coach James Ford's claims that referees should clamp down quicker on spoiling tactics in League One - saying his side wouldn't moan about it.

Ford argues cutting out such bully-boy ploys would make for a faster, better spectacle and therefore make rugby league more attractive for players, spectactors and sponsors.

He told The Press this week his side were "easy to officiate" but bemoaned others teams' "consistent ill-discipline".

But Naylor, ahead of tomorrow's clash at Whitebank, said: "There are a lot of clever players in this division and clever coaches who look at some of the teams they're playing and feel they need to use different tactics. Is that a bad thing or part of rugby league?

"Is it clever coaching or clever by the players? I probably think it is. If we all stood by the same rules, played the same and did the same things, it would be quite boring.

"I think the job for the referees in our division is tough. A lot have been moved because of the shortage of referees and we've got a few new ones.

"There are a lot of experienced players in this division now. I don't mind it - I think it's pretty clever - if only because I was once one.

"It's not something we (Oldham) teach or use but when we come up against it, it's not something we moan about."