JAMES FORD hailed one of York City Knights' best performances of the season after they sent League One play-off rivals Newcastle packing – and then revealed he had two signings lined up to bolster the ranks for the run-in.

The Knights received a blow on the eve of the game with the news that Bradford were signing James Clare from Castleford, meaning the popular winger – who has bagged nine tries in seven appearances on dual-reg for York – would not be available again for Ford's men.

But the team responded with a 40-8 victory at Elmpark Way over a side who had beaten them in the iPro Sport Cup and the league earlier in the season.

Kriss Brining, axed last week, also made an immediate point on his recall, scoring with his first touch and completing a 22-minute hat-trick with a superb solo effort, while having another try ruled out.

Ford said: "Structurally with the ball we were probably not at our best but defensively and attitude-wise it was probably our best of the season.

"We were tenacious from minute one to 80. Our contacts were full-bloodied and across the whole field we were aggressive.

"I've been critical sometimes when we haven't got our hands dirty but we're maturing into a team that can play a number of ways. I could not be prouder of what they did."

On Brining, the Knights coach added: "Kriss did exactly what I wanted him to do. He's really hard to handle when he plays like that."

Ford also had an apparent dig at his Newcastle counterparts over their reactions to victory and defeat against York.

He said: "At this club, when we lose, we lose classy, and when we win, we win classy. Whether other clubs want to follow that is up to them. Read into that what you want."

Ford was also unhappy with referee Dave Merrick's display, despite victory – Brining's disallowed try being just one contentious point.

He explained: "I was six feet away and it was a clear try. The ruck was untidy, we had our tempo unfairly taken away, and there were some decisions which could have changed the momentum of the game unfairly.

"Dave Merrick is the best referee in the competition but that's twice he's turned up and given a below-par performance."

Ford added: "Newcastle had a plan to slow our ruck down and make it messy around there.

"Jordan Howden and Jonny Presley (half-backs) adjusted the plan and we generated tempo in other ways, but we shouldn't have to do that. It was infuriatingly slow at times."

Ford would not reveal who he is poised to sign but The Press understands one target is a former York player and the other is at a Championship club.

Clare, meanwhile, was at the game, helping the team in the warm-up and running water and messages throughout.

Ford said: "He's in there (the changing rooms) singing songs like one of the boys. He's come down to a club he's not contracted to and done all that. It shows what kind of person we're talking about.

"He's played at a great level for us and it's no surprise a club like Bradford want him as he's a player of Super League calibre and he's a great guy."

Forwards Ryan Mallinder and Micky Learmonth departed with concussion and are doubtful for next Saturday's trip to South Wales Scorpions.