HEAD coach James Ford has hailed the impacts of York City Knights’ two debutants in the important win over Workington on Sunday.

Former Warrington forward Jordan Cox was at fault for Town’s first try but made amends by scoring one and creating two at the other end.

Big young prop Ross Osborne also caught the eye with some massive contacts and a big bulldozing run on his introduction off the bench which set the platform for Cox’s 30th-minute touchdown.

The 28-18 victory kept the Knights fourth in Kingstone Press League One - with a four-point buffer in the play-off places - with four games left of the Super 8s, the next being a trip to bogey team Barrow on Sunday.

Said Ford: “Jordan had some really positive involvements – a try, two assists and some strong carries.

“He was blowing a bit at times given he hasn’t played for a while but it was a very positive debut for the club.

“Ross also hasn’t played for a while but his carries were really strong, he gave us some punch, and some of his contacts in ‘D’ were better.

“He’s a big lad and runs hard, and he uses his body well, making him difficult to deal with. It was a real good dig from him.”

Winger Ben Dent also played for the first time since April, and made a notable contribution when taking a high, swirling kick in defence at a time when a Town try could have changed the game.

Ford said: “Ben took a really important catch for us towards the end of the game. He’s got that (ability) in him. On his day he’s got outstanding skill. We’ve seen him do some miraculous things for this team and that was a real big moment in the game.”

James Haynes was checked out at hospital after the game, having been helped off in the second half with a neck injury suffered during a wrestle on the floor. The incident was put on report by referee Nick Bennett. There was no long-term issue but he is a doubt for next weekend’s trek to Cumbria.

Harry Tyson-Wilson is rated very doubtful for next Sunday’s match after suffering ankle ligament damage in the first half.