YORK City Knights boss James Ford was quick to heap praise on stand-in skipper Jack Aldous after the "Mr Duracell" prop returned to top form to help his side rise to third in Kingstone Press League One.

The reigning Press Player of the Year gave one of his famed 80-minute performances in the middle of the battle as the Knights beat a Swinton Lions side featuring three former top-flight forwards 26-16 at Elmpark Way.

The result - against a team Ford tipped to be the best in the division - lifted the homeless club above Newcastle, who lost to Barrow, and only two points off the summit after Keighley's defeat at North Wales Crusaders. Only three points separate the top seven.

The win would have been bigger, too, but for three missed conversions and Brad Nicholson's try being controversially ruled out, referee Jon Roberts deeming he had not grounded the ball.

Ford said: "Jack over the 80 minutes was outstanding, leading the line. He's a very good professional and looks after himself away from the game, meaning he can give these kinds of performances.

"He's a true pro and that's one of the qualities that make him a captain.

"He does all the little things and all the unselfish things really well, all for the good of the group."

The 24-year-old Aldous, quiet and mild-mannered off the pitch, took on the skipper's role when hooker Pat Smith was spelled on the bench. He had been handed the armband for the first time in last week's win at Hemel, when club captain Smith was unavailable and with team captain James Haynes still sidelined by injury.

Ford said: "I've been really impressed with how he conducts himself and how he communicates with the players and makes sure standards are maintained."

Swinton had Mick Govin sent off on 71 minutes for a dangerous high shot on Jordan Howden. Ford thought that was the "right decision", even if the foul was unintentional, but was dismayed when Nicholson then had his try ruled out - with the Lions immediately piggybacked upfield by two penalties to cut the deficit from 26-10 with a Darren Hawkyard touchdown.

"Mick Govin is a good player. He's an aggressive player but I don't think it was intentional and I hope he does not get much of a ban," said Ford.

"After that decision (the red card), I felt three or four decisions went in favour of Swinton which were incorrect.

"Brad's try could not have been any more of a try. I was two metres away from it. If he had put it down any more we would have wanted five points for it.

"They then get two penalties and their try so it's a 12-point swing.

"There were a few calls that put the game back in the balance at one point."

York had begun the weekend fourth, with Saturday's results seeing them drop to sixth before this victory lifted them to third ahead of next week's clash at Oldham, the new leaders.

The win completed a 100 per cent record in June, with the four victories consecutive, including the one over the then leaders Rochdale at Featherstone's Post Office Road.

As regards his team's ability to beat the promotion contenders, which was questioned at the end of May after defeat at Newcastle, a third away loss to play-off rivals, Ford said: "We need to beat one away from home now.

"We've shown we can beat them at home. Let's see what we can do away now."