RUGBY league superstar Sam Tomkins reckons the quality and excitement in Kingstone Press League One deserves far bigger attendances than it currently enjoys - having witnessed at first hand Sunday's thrilling play-off semi-final at Park Lane.

Tomkins, who has now returned to England after his time in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors, was an interested spectator as York City Knights agonisingly lost a dramatic League One play-off semi-final against Swinton to a golden-point drop-goal, the Lions having taken the game to extra time with a one-pointer 12 seconds before the hooter.

Tomkins was supporting the Lions due to their playing links with Wigan, whom the England full-back is rejoining, but reckoned both teams deserved plaudits - and that the tie deserved a much bigger attendance than the 684 that turned up.

Indeed, attendances across League One have regularly been an issue for the Rugby Football League, with York's average having also fallen again this year following their off-field troubles and the need to play at borrowed venues - despite the entertaining brand on display, as quickly noted by Tomkins.

"It was a very good game," he said of the semi-final.

"It's a good standard. It's not Super League standard but there are a lot of good players and hopefully some of the younger blokes will get an opportunity in Super League.

"Both teams were playing a good style of rugby league. It was entertaining and good to watch - it should get a hell of a lot more people than six or seven hundred."

As for the game itself, Tomkins reckoned the Lions deserved to progress to the final, where they will meet Keighley Cougars at Widnes on Sunday.

"I'd come supporting Swinton due to players like Andy Thornley and the young Wigan lads. I've not seen them play for a while," he said.

"I thought Swinton should have had it won earlier - they blew a few chances and were probably the better team.

"They let themselves down with a few simple errors but I thought they deserved it in the end.

"But York played pretty well and got the ball across the field well."

Asked if York could go one better next year, he said: "I don't see why not. They can have a good crack at it."

Knights boss James Ford spoke to Tomkins after the game and, putting his dismay at losing the tie to one side, later uploaded a picture of the two together to social media, joking: "Proud to announce this bloke is a Knight for 2016."