JAMES FORD refused to blame the officials after seeing his York City Knights side have three tries controversially ruled out in a 34-24 reverse at fellow promotion hopefuls Swinton.

Jonny Presley had two scores wiped off and Liam Cunningham one, with the result seeing York slip to seventh in Kingstone Press League One after two wins and two losses.

Ford, though, was "not too disheartened" and reckoned his team had made strides since their opening-day defeat at Keighley - and were still on course for the play-offs come the end of term.

"If you beat the expansion clubs home and away and beat the bigger teams at home, you're going to be there or thereabouts," he said.

"We're growing and maturing as a group. A lot of elements of that performance were really good - we've travelled a lot of distance from round one - but we haven't quite hit our straps with the ball.

"Jonny Presley is a really honest guy and he's pretty adamant all three were touched down.

"Swinton scored soon after one of them, so that alone is a 12-point swing and we lost by ten points.

"Those points could have made a massive difference but I still think we could have done things better to win the game anyway.

"I thought the officials had decent games. I often hear coaches blaming officials but I thought there were two good teams and it was a good game. The bounce of the ball favoured Swinton a couple of times and a couple of decisions went their way.

"As we grow and mature as a team, we will find ways to win games like that."

The Knights saw on-loan Huddersfield forward Micky Learmonth exit the action early on with an ankle injury, meaning substitute Colton Roche had to play more minutes than anticipated while fellow prop Jack Aldous played the entire match.

Ford said: "Colton's lungs were burning a bit having to do extended periods but he showed commitment to the group.

"Jack Aldous has been out there against the likes of Jordan James and Tommy Gallagher and he's not only done 80 minutes but he's done 80 very well. The character he showed was outstanding."

Ford, whose side fought back from 34-14 down with two late tries, added: "It was always going to be difficult away to a team who will be up there.

"It was six tries to five and we lost Micky Learmonth after a few minutes while Colts and Josh Tonks picked up knocks.

"The team showed immense character to be in that game and, if we'd have had five more minutes at the end, we might have had Swinton on the run.

"We also know we can be better."

Most of Swinton's tries came down their right, with former Salford centre Stuart Littler notching a hat-trick, but Ford reckoned it was more down to the Lions' prowess than his side's failings in defence.

"Their right edge was good - they had Stuart Littler out there and he's played a heap of Super League games," he said.

"We'll have a look at the video. I don't think we did too much wrong. It was good attack - we could have solved it but you have to give Swinton credit."

Young Greg Minikin was York's star man with a try and three assists, while James Clare, who has played seven times in Super League this year, crossed on his dual-registration debut from Castleford.

Said Ford: "Everyone knows how much confidence I have in Greg. He's got a fantastic future in the game.

"James Clare's talk and attitude was brilliant. The young guys we've got in our ranks - people like Greg, who are aspiring to be in Super League - can see the standards he sets on and off the field."