YORK City Knights boss James Ford reckons he has the best half-back pairing in Kingstone Press League One - regardless of Danny Nicklas' inconsistent goalkicking.

Veteran schemer Jonny Presley returned to the line-up on Sunday and in tandem with Nicklas orchestrated the team's 58-14 iPro Sport Cup thrashing of Gloucestershire All Golds, a result which brings York rugby league its first knockout final since the 1978 Yorkshire Cup.

The 31-year-old scored one try and made three in a Press man-of-the-match performance, while Nicklas scored one and had a telling hand in four. The pair of them also combined in creating three tries.

“Sometimes you have your best game when you don’t play and we missed Jonny in abundance the previous week," said head coach Ford, who had rested his stand-off for the League One win over South Wales Scorpions.

“His control, kicking game and organisation – he’s played so well for me since I became head coach, I’m lucky to have him.

“He’s a model professional and the young blokes should look up to him.

“I think some of the things he does for us are not far off phenomenal.

“Some of his pass selection and the control and maturity he brings to our attacking play are invaluable."

On former Hull and Doncaster scrum-half Nicklas, who joined the Knights after a successful trial in pre-season, Ford said: "His general game (against All Golds) was again very good. He organised his edge well, and the timing of his pass is excellent.

"People forget Danny had been injured for a long time before he joined us, and the more he plays, the fitter, faster and stronger he gets.

"The combination between the two of them is... well, if there's a better half-back pairing in League One then they must be very, very good."

Nicklas marred his display, however, by fluffing seven of 12 conversions - continuing his hit-and-miss shooting form throughout this season so far.

Indeed, some of the loudest cheers during Sunday's win were reserved for successful shots, Nicklas greeting them with a wry smile to supporters.

Fans also again made the point on social media that extras could prove crucial in close matches this season - not unlike last year's agonising League One play-off semi-final against Swinton Lions.

On that day, the Knights missed all four conversion attempts, Ben Dent and Jordan Howden off-target twice apiece, and ultimately lost to a drop goal in golden-point extra time.

However, Ford has again backed the 24-year-old left-footer to kick the pressure points when it matters most.

He said: "Five out of 12 - Danny is better than that. He can easily kick 70 to 80 per cent, and if he does that this year then it's a dramatic improvement on what we had last year.

"All goalkickers have good days and bad days... unless they're Kevin Sinfield. I'm confident Danny will be a good 70 to 80 per cent goalkicker when it matters.

"I think he will make a positive difference. He's got the mentality to deal with pressure when it matters. He will kick them I'm sure."