YORK City Knights boss Gary Thornton bemoaned a “game-changing” refereeing call but praised his side’s have-a-go mentality in defeat at big-guns Leigh.

The Knights lost 42-20, with Thornton slating the decision to allow a breakaway home try to stand rather than award the Knights a penalty or scrum at the other end when his side were in range on the scoreboard.

Another home try had come on the back of a questionable penalty, and but for those two scores the Knights would have taken a bonus point in their battle to climb clear of the drop zone.

However, Thornton was happy with the spirit shown by his side when they could have folded – not least recent recruit Ryan Mallinder, whom he revealed had now agreed terms until the end of next season.

“I’m disappointed with the defeat obviously but fair play to the players. They never threw the towel in,” he said.

“We had some tough calls against us but in the second half we were probably the better team and we deserved to get within 12 points.

“They had tries given to them that shouldn’t have been, so I think it could have been a lot closer than it was.

“At 16-6 (behind) we got into the game and had a stranglehold.

“We were looking pretty good, asking good questions.

“Then from a kick their centre palms the ball five yards forward. Their lad gets it – was he offside as well? – and they go the full length.

“The officials got that completely wrong. If we score from the scrum it’s 16-12 but their try is allowed to stand and it’s 22-6 and we’re climbing a mountain. It was the turning point. It was the defining moment and I thought they got it completely wrong.”

Asked if he had spoken to referee Matthew Thomason about it, Thornton said: “You’re not allowed to speak to the officials these days. They’re above being spoken to.

“I did speak to the match commissioner and as far as he was concerned he agreed with me. The only thing I can think of is that the touch judge said it was a charge-down and therefore play-on.

“But it was a ludicrous decision and I couldn’t believe it.

“Conceding another soft try just before half-time was hard to take.

“But I asked the lads to give it a go for the second 40 and they did. We could have felt sorry for ourselves but we played some excellent stuff in the second half and tested them as much as we could.

“Everyone dug in. We’d had to make changes with some players ruled out but Jonny Presley did his absolute best to prompt and create gaps. James Ford looked tremendous and set up two good tries for Dougie Flockhart.

“All of them worked really hard. Ryan Mallinder came off the bench – he’s straight out of amateur and he had a terrific stint.

“There weren’t any players out there who I could fault. We’ve got good team spirit here and it showed in the second half.”

Thornton reiterated his belief that the Centurions were the best team York had faced this season, but reckoned his side were worthy of a point.

“I thought they were good when they won at our place and I still think that after (yesterday),” he said.

“Their defence is superb and they have match-winners all over the field. It’s always tough coming here. I don’t think there’ll be many teams who will come here and score 20 points.”

Mallinder, 23, has enjoyed a successful trial after arriving from Sharlston Rovers.

Added Thornton: “He’s young, enthusiastic and desperate to play at the highest level he can. He came late into the (pro) game but it shows if you give someone an opportunity and they’re prepared to work hard and take it then it can pay off. Fair play to him, he did very well (yesterday).”

• Halifax and Featherstone gained handsome away victories to keep in touch with Kingstone Press Championship leaders Sheffield Eagles.

Former London Broncos and Hull winger Will Sharp scored a hat-trick of tries in Featherstone’s 60-6 win over Barrow at Craven Park.

Back-row forward Ross Divorty, the former York star, scored two of Halifax’s six tries in a 35-16 win over Dewsbury at the Tetley’s Stadium that keeps them within two points of Sheffield.