Ford urges RFL action after sent-off Barrow player goes into crowd

The Knights lost their final game of the regular season 18-16 to a Barrow side who had two men sin-binned in the first half and a third player, substitute forward Bate, sent off for a high tackle.

The defeat saw York slip to fourth in League One to miss out on a home semi-final in the play-offs and instead face a daunting trip to in-form Swinton.

The scoreline was overshadowed, though, by Bate's actions when red-carded. Instead of walking to the changing rooms, he ducked under the pitch-side barriers to confront jeering home fans before being escorted along the front of the terrace and around to the changing rooms by club staff.

Only words were exchanged, rather than anything more serious, but Ford said of the incident: "What a disgrace, an absolute disgrace.

"For a player to go into the crowd is unbelievable.

"My daughter was in that stand. The bloke should be ashamed of himself and I'm looking forward to seeing what the RFL do about it."

Asked if he had seen anything like it before, Ford said: "I've only ever seen that kind of thing on Youtube under 'rugby's most disgraceful incidents'.

"I don't know what the supporters may or may not have said to him, but interacting with players is part and parcel of the game.

"It's up to you to respond in a professional manner.

"If I'd have questioned fans comments like that in my career I would have spent more time in the crowd than on the pitch."

As for the sending-off offence, Ford said: "It was one of about five or six borderline offences. On its own probably it's probably not the worst red card I've seen but through the game there were numerous head shots and stuff going on.

"It was obvious what Barrow's game plan was and what their intention was. They've tried to out-muscle us within the rules and not within the rules."

Ford, however, also criticised his own team for not taking advantage of the extra personnel.

"We should have taken advantage, yes. We should have had more composure and executed our skill better," he said.

"We got flustered and tried to score too soon rather than being direct and playing quick and playing with eyes up.

"Occasionally you get these games, and how you respond is key.

"You don't turn into a bad player overnight but we need a big response now against Swinton."

Barrow came from 16-8 down to win with two Cameron Pitman tries.

"It was a very poor game," said Ford. "We weren't great. We made too many errors and didn't take our chances. For a professional team not to take those chances is not good enough.

"The game should have been out of sight.

"But credit to Barrow. They were physical. They didn't play the game the way I think rugby league should be played, but it's got them two points."

Asked if it was a beneficial contest with which to prepare for the play-offs, Ford said: "We've certainly had a physical workout and I've seen how one or two respond when they're under pressure. In that sense it's good preparation.

"But we've spoken about being at play-off intensity in the last few weeks, but that was far from play-off intensity - from both teams."

Asked if his players were rattled by Barrow's aggression, Ford said: "It would have been hard not to be rattled by what was going on.

"But we're mentally strong enough with what we've been through this year to deal with all that.

"I still very much believe we can do this. I'm just disappointed and surprised with what I saw - from my team. The other rubbish is for the RFL to sort out."

Swinton bounced back from defeat to leaders Oldham by hammering South Wales 94-6 to go back above York.

"It would have been nice to have the play-off at home for the supporters but we will go to Swinton with confidence. We need to be better than in this game but I'm sure we will be.

"There will be two teams actually trying to play rugby league and I'm sure it will be a good spectacle. They're in form, aren't they, but it's 1-1 between us this season and it will be a good game."