YORK City Knights boss James Ford hailed his team’s response to a half-time dressing down after they turned likely defeat to London Skolars into a fifth straight League One win.

The Knights trailed 18-6 at the interval after being out-played and out-fought in the first period, but they levelled the scores just seven minutes into the second half and went on to win 36-18, lifting them to fifth in the table.

Ford would not say what was said during the interval but, having bemoaned a “lack of intensity” in the first half, he reckoned his side were “on the money” thereafter as they scored five tries without reply.

He also explained the absence of new signing Samir Tahraoui, the big prop having to wait to make his debut after suffering a knee injury at home on the eve of the game.

“As a group we were disappointed with our attitude and that we were lacking intensity in our carries and contacts,” said Ford, when asked what he had told his troops at half-time.

“I could not recognise the team with how they’d set out to play.

“We’re a team that focuses on the small things in the game. We’ve got a level of tenacity embedded in us. But all that was missing in the first half.

“In the second half we were right on the money.

“The boys have come out and showed what they’re capable of in the second half. We won it 30-0 and that’s a fair effort, as London Skolars are a decent side.

“That’s the standards these players can get to and the standards we expect.”

The result lifted York above old arch-rivals Hunslet, whom they meet next week – and who now have ex-Knights boss Gary Thornton in charge after he left Doncaster “by mutual consent” last month but was then installed at the south Leeds club last week, in place of the axed James Coyle.

Ford added of the victory: “I thought it was a good spectacle. Skolars had a real dig at us in the first half and were good value for their lead.

“They ran harder and tackled harder and got their processes technically right more often than us. They had good shape and asked some good questions.

“We didn’t have enough bite or tenacity in defence and were not our usual shape – we were miles away if I’m honest.

“The second half was a good response.

“We ran harder, tackled harder and we got things right on the back of that. We were dominant and could shape up better, and we were good value in the second half (for the victory).

“The fundamentals of this game are you run as hard as you can and tackle as hard as you can and the technical things come after that. If you don’t do the fundamentals, you’re in for a hard day.”

In one notable change for the second half, Ford replaced centre Nev Morrison with Brad Hey, who interchanged with second-row Joe Batchelor.

Asked if that amounted to criticism of Morrison’s display, he said: “We just wanted to get Brad Hey out there. He looked good, he looked quick and explosive and made good metres.

“It looks like Brad is coming back to his best form.

“They (Hey and Batchelor) are both back-rowers who can play centre. If they can build combinations I think that would be a really effective weapon for us.”

The Knights had expected to give Tahraoui his debut after his arrival from Rochdale, but Ford said: “He picked up a knee injury at home. Hopefully we can get him out there sooner rather than later. When he is out on the field, I’m sure the supporters will see why we brought him here.”