JAMES FORD reckons his young York City Knights team are already showing Championship potential - should they continue on their upward trajectory.

The new-look Knights lost 48-22 to London Broncos in their first pre-season friendly back at Bootham Crescent, but the contest was more competitive than the 46-4 defeat at Featherstone in their opening hit-out.

Furthermore, while the Broncos are one of the richest sides in the Championship and kick off their campaign next weekend, the Knights' squad, put together quickly after the uncertainty late last year, still have three weeks to go before their League One season starts.

"The improvement was clearly evident," said Ford. "I thought we looked like a team that could possibly compete in the Championship if we continue to work as hard as we are doing in training.

"We moved up on the short side much better, our first contact was better and our kicking game was improved.

"We were much more organised in good ball too. We weren't as fluid as we'd like but we have a few weeks before our competitive games start.

"The game has highlighted a couple of areas we need to improve in and we'll factor them into training.

"The boys are disappointed they've not won but we're pleased with the progression and they're buoyed knowing there's still improvement in us.

"We had a lot of young players out there in only their second game together.

"If we improve in two or three areas and each individual improves, we could have a good team this year."

York shipped four tries inside 20 minutes at Featherstone but, against another top-end Championship side here, they trailed only 18-12 at half-time.

"There were one or two fine margins, too," added Ford, highlighting Andy Ackers' second try when the Broncos, having fielded a kick near their own line, went straight up the other end. Man-of-the-match hooker Ackers ended with four tries.

"London have some quality players and they turned some positive situations for us into tries for them.

"We should have had them trapped in, but one lapse in concentration by us and some outstanding pace and world-class offloads later, they're under the posts.

"That's the difference with the step up to this level but, the more we focus on improving, the more likely we will get there."

Asked where his side had to be better, Ford said: "We need to tidy up our work on the floor. We earned the right to dictate the tempo but they had better technique on the floor and that gave Andy Ackers a way to pick away at us around the ruck.

"We need a bit more fluidity and to improve our timing a bit, but there's not a team in the country who don't need to improve that at this stage of the year."