YORK City Knights boss James Ford reckons the size of the Bootham Crescent crowd for today's Challenge Cup derby shows York could be "a force in rugby league".

Nearly 2,300 fans turned up for the Knights' victory over neighbouring amateurs York Acorn – the biggest attendance throughout the third round and nearly a thousand more than had initially been expected.

And while Ford was disappointed with the pace of the game on show, he was delighted the occasion proved popular.

The Knights scored 12 tries in a 66-0 win, after which Ford said: "That nearly two-and-a-half thousand people were there is great.

"It shows people that rugby league is a pretty big thing in this city and that there's scope for it to grow and progress and for York to be a force in the game."

Five third-round ties over the weekend threw up victories for amateur clubs over League One opposition but there was little chance of one materialising here, especially after the Knights went ahead.

Yet Ford was disappointed with the spectacle and explained: "Nearly two-and-a-half thousand people paid to watch a game of rugby league and they watch a game in slow motion.

"It wasn't quite the spectacle I'd hoped. Rugby league should be played fast, with toughness and speed and skill – it's great to watch.

"I've got to give credit to my players to score 66 points – not including many goals – in a game that was so slow.

"I can't blame them (Acorn). Most coaches – 99 out of 100 – would do the same. That's how they'd set up against a better team; to slow the game down."

Ford still heaped praise on the Blue and Golds. He said: "They opened us up twice – they made the first break of the game and maybe they should have been in front. That was a wake-up call on the edges for us.

"At the back end of the game, they were pushing again and we showed character to keep working hard and keep a team to nil. That was pleasing.

"They threw some good shape at us at times. They've improved a lot. I know Scott Rhodes (Acorn boss) will be disappointed with the scoreline – he's a proud man – but he needs to take confidence that they're going the right way.

"If they had drawn one of the expansion teams in League One, I'm sure it would have been real close, as they're a good team."

The draw for round four, when Championship clubs enter, will be made tomorrow night.