BACK-ROW buccaneer Ed Smith admits last year's semi-final failure still weighs on his mind - but says it is spurring York City Knights on to promotion glory this time around.

Smith is one of nine survivors of the side knocked out of the play-offs 12 months ago by a Hunslet outfit who went on to win the grand final. The Knights had also fallen to Oldham in their qualifying semi-final - Gary Thornton's men having earned two bites of the cherry by virtue of topping the League One table.

They only get one attempt to reach the Widnes showdown this time around, having finished fourth in a much tougher competition, and local lad Smith is determined they don't suffer such heartache when they go to much-fancied Swinton on Sunday for their do-or-die humdinger.

"I'm not going to lie. It plays on your mind a little bit. We won most games all year but lost when it really mattered," said the 22-year-old, who has already piled up 96 appearances for his home-town club - missing only two matches in the last two years.

"But every game is a new game and on the day all that stuff in the past goes out of your head and you concentrate on your job.

"What it does do, though, is spur you on. It was a bitter disappointment and we don't want that feeling again."

Youth product Smith, who made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2010, the year the Knights last won a grand final, scored tries in both encounters against Swinton this term - a 34-24 defeat at Park Lane in early May and a 26-16 win at Elmpark Way in late June.

The Lions went on to usurp York from third place in the standings on the last day of the regular season and snatch home advantage in Sunday's semi-final. They also racked up a 94-6 win over stragglers South Wales that day - while the Knights were losing a bruising battle with 12-man Barrow - to confirm themselves as League One's biggest scorers, ahead of leaders Oldham and James Ford's Minster city entertainers.

But Smith said: "As a team we're always confident.

"They're one of the best sides in this league if not the best. But it's one-apiece between us and we beat them last time.

"They shocked us a bit at their place - we weren't used to defending against that brand of rugby league. But we were ready for it in the second game.

"We fronted up in the return and as long as we bring that same physicality and attitude, it will go a long way to us winning."

As for the Barrow defeat, Smith added: "It was a freak game. We would have liked to win but it was a physical battle and it will prepare us for this week.

"We dominated in many areas. I don't think the result has phased anyone. In fact it's probably lifted us.

"You look how you can correct your performances and I think it will stand us in better stead than if we'd had an easy game."