JAMES FORD struggled to contain his frustration after watching his York City Knights battlers get knocked out of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

The League One form team led Championship outfit Dewsbury 16-10 at half-time of their fifth round tie at Tetley's Stadium but the bulk of the refereeing decisions went the Rams' way in the second half and the hosts took advantage with two penalties and three tries to run out 30-16 victors.

The game was played on a heavy pitch in constant rain and, while it was nip and tuck for much of the match, Ford bemoaned the momentum Dewsbury gained from the penalty count, which ended 12-6 in their favour.

"It was two decent sides hampered by horrendous conditions," he said. "Both teams made a good fist of it out there. There were intense contacts and lots of commitment and both had to play some decent rugby.

"However, momentum got swayed in the game by three or four borderline decisions which an experienced official would not have given. He would have managed the players and let the game flow.

"In the first ten minutes we were on top, then they get penalties, one on play four and one on play five. When you've got two equal teams, that can make a massive difference.

"It's hard to win back those 50 metres that you've just worked five minutes to get and to have it taken away by a borderline decision from a referee - it's frustrating.

"That was the main difference between the sides - that momentum. You can't get back into your rhythm and back to where you were on the field.

"It's not hard to pick them out. Players falling into markers, for example. I have no idea how they're winning penalties from it. It's not hard to spot.

"For us to lose a penalty count by that much is alarming, especially as we're such a disciplined team.

"I was also frustrated with some of the ruck speed we got. It's naivety again from blokes in charge of a game. Dewsbury have some experienced players and, if the referee lets them do it (slow the game down), they'd be silly not to do it more."

The Knights had turned around a 10-0 deficit to take the lead on half-time thanks to a superb Austin Buchanan finish against his former club.

Said Ford "The players' effort and commitment is outstanding.

"We're so close to being able to beat teams like that

"I can take lots of positive out of it. We can perform better and we can be more clinical with the ball - if we get a reasonably fair crack from the officials. We would have been right up there with them.

"It's easy for me to see it sat in the stands and I understand it is hard for referees when they're down there, but I would like to see some progress in the stuff you get from the blokes in the middle."

He added: "Credit to Dewsbury, though. They scored 30 points against us and that takes some doing. Glenn Morrison has a good team.

"I'm really upset and frustrated we've not won. I'm not furious because of the effort the boys put in - I love the boys.

"South Wales Scorpions are going to get it next week, that's for sure."