York City Knights 20 Bradford Bulls 22

Knights: Robson 6, Cockayne 8, Oakes 8, Hey 8, Moss 8, C Robinson 9, Marsh 7, A Robinson 9, Ellis 8, Horne 6, Batchelor 9, Scott 8, Spears 9. Subs (all used): Jubb 7, Siddons 8, Ronan Dixon 8, Porter 7.

Tries: Moss 3; Batchelor 51, 65.

Conversions: C Robinson (2/3) 3, 65.

Penalty: C Robinson (1/1) 28.

Drop goals: C Robinson 68, 78.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Bradford: McNally, Grant, Gibson, Smith, Ryan, Keyes, Minchella, Crossley, Hallas, Kirk, Garside, Johnson, Milton. Subs (all used): Peltier, Halafihi, Wood, Pickersgill.

Tries: Gibson 18; Minchella 37; Crossley 48.

Conversions: Keyes (2/3) 37, 48.

Penalties: Keyes (3/3) 59, 72, 80.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Man of the match: Connor Robinson – the stand-off was at the heart of many good things for York and his kicking game was probably the best it has been in his time at the Knights. Had a match-winning try ruled out but still kicked two drop goals which should have brought his side at least a share of the spoils. Took on more responsibility, too, with half-back partner Matty Marsh bravely hobbling through an hour.

Referee: Mark Rossleigh (London) – Aussie was generally good. However. Three controversial calls gave Bradford three penalty goals in the last quarter, including the match-winner after the hooter. His decision to disallow Joe Batchelor’s first-half try certainly needs looking at, too. The decision, aided by a touch judge, to disallow Connor Robinson’s late try was probably even more crucial.

Penalty count: 6-6

Half-time: 8-10

Weather: cloudy but still.

Attendance: 4,281 (Knights record)

Moment of the match: Joe Batchelor showed exactly why he was the double Player of the Year last season with a stunning try. A loose ball on half-way was surely bobbling the Bulls’ way but the second-row stormed up from nowhere. The pick-up at pace was out of this world and he turned up the speed to streak home.

Gaffe of the match: a couple of errors by Ash Robson in the first half saw momentum swing Bradford’s way. Later in the game, whether the ref was correct or not, giving him chance to award the Bulls late penalties with which to steal the spoils was probably unwise of the Knights.

Gamebreaker: there were a number of events that looked like deciding the game – the ultimate one saw Bradford given a penalty on the final hooter with which to nick the result.

Match rating: a record Knights crowd was treated to a wonderful game of rugby league in a superb atmosphere, ruined only by what was surely an unfair result at the death.