YORK City Knights boss James Ford refused to entertain thoughts of title success - despite watching his troops take another huge step towards the Betfred League One crown.

The Knights backed up their 18-14 hoodoo-smashing win at Workington last week with a similarly bruising humdinger against Oldham at Bootham Crescent, winning 10-6 in another match against play-off scrappers that went down to the final play.

Several pundits had expected York to slip up in either of the past two games and allow Bradford Bulls to go back above them at the summit, but Ford's men remain two points clear, with a trip to minnows Hemel next week to be followed by a concluding home clash with Whitehaven. Bradford, meanwhile, must go to Oldham next up.

Asked if he now dared to dream, Ford said: "I've not thought about that. We're at Hemel next and we need to make sure our preparation is right and that we go down there with the right mentality and perform to our best and win the game.

"If Oldham are good enough to beat Bradford, then great. If not, it doesn't matter to us. We have our own focus."

There are sizeable hurdles to overcome, however.

Haven, another side fighting for the play-offs, are one of only two teams to have beaten York this season - the other being Bradford on the opening day - and they bounced back to form in fine fashion with a 46-10 thrashing of Hunslet at the Recre.

Moreover, Hull KR have reportedly lost both full-back Adam Quinlan and winger Justin Carney to injury for the rest of the season - meaning they could well recall dual-reg duo Matty Marsh and Will Oakes from Bootham Crescent. Both have played full parts in the Knights' last three successes.

Of this latest victory - a SEVENTH win of term by no more than four points - Ford said: "It was a really even contest. I do think we shaded it but Oldham should be proud of their efforts.

"I thought they were very good and they're certainly a side that could beat Bradford next week, if they play like that certainly.

"We had prepared for a very close game, a very tough game, and Oldham have turned up and delivered a very good performance."

Asked if he was worried after the Roughyeds hit back to make it 10-6 with nine minutes to go, Ford said: "I wouldn't say 'worried'.

"I was aware Oldham are a good side and they had a lot of possession and territory at times. But we've been in this situation on a number of occasions and we've managed to hang on and manage games and see them out."

He quipped: "It was a bit more comfortable today - we won by four points not two."

Ford reckoned the noisy home support again helped his team.

"They've been great all season," he said. "We knew that we'd need them. There weren't many empty seats so they have got here in numbers and they have got behind us. They did help the boys find some extra energy.

"We had to defend a number of sets on our line. But the crowd are certainly part of our performance and I know the boys love playing in front of them."

On his own team, he added: "There were lots of really good performances.

"Joel Edwards was carrying a bit of a knock but he put his hand up and played and did it tough.

"Tim Spears was superb and played big minutes. Josh Jordan-Roberts was much better, and Harry Carter defensively put himself about.

"I could name everybody. There were a lot of really strong performances, and we needed that because we knew Oldham were going to come at us really hard and they are a good side."

Referee John McMullen was booed off by home fans.

When asked of his display, Ford said: "He's tried not to impact on the game but the ruck speed was far too slow for my liking and the officials missed a number of forward passes.

"It's about identifying a ruck win and loss and the management of that. He probably needs to have a look at that.

"I don't know if he was mic'ed up but I don't know how they missed so many forward passes.

"But we all make mistakes - players, coaches, officials - and fortunately it's not cost us any points."