YORK Acorn ARLC boss Leigh Paul-Rientoul has warned York City Knights they face a banana skin tie in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

The Knights have been drawn away to Cumbrian amateurs Askam in the third round, with the match to be played over the weekend of February 24-25.

The Cumbrians, of the National Conference League second division, beat first division Acorn 32-16 at Thanet Road in round one last month and followed up with an even bigger shock 16-4 win over premier division outfit West Hull last weekend. League One pro clubs like the Knights enter the competition in round three.

Paul-Rientoul said: "Askam played really well against us, but I didn't think they'd turn over West Hull.

"It will be tough for York, going up there. They might not get much support going all the way over there and the locals will be against them.

"I think James Ford (Knights boss) will have things under control and they'll progress. But Askam have a new coach - ex-Workington Town boss Dave Clark - and he's got them well-drilled so it's a banana skin."

Paul-Rientoul also admitted being gutted Acorn themselves did not get through to bank another money-spinning tie against the city's pro club, the two teams having memorably met at Bootham Crescent in 2016 in front of a bumper crowd.

"It would have been nice to get York again - it's made it more of a blow that we didn't win," he said.

Ford, meanwhile, conceded it's not the tie he wanted - and will also warn his troops against complacency.

"We would have preferred a home tie but that's the nature of the cup," he said.

"The long journey will provide a challenge, as will the venue, as will Askam.

"We'll probably field a couple of younger players and give them a chance to experience a tough and physical environment.

"But we'll have to perform to our best. We respect the amateur game. We've played a number of teams in the past and we know it's a banana skin, certainly if we don't hit our standards."

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup round 3 draw in full: Hunslet Club Parkside v Workington Town, Bradford Bulls v West Wales Raiders, North Wales Crusaders v Keighley Cougars, Coventry Bears v Distington, Hemel Stags v Newcastle Thunder, Doncaster v Myton Warriors, Pilkington Recs v Millom, Kells v British Army, Normanton Knights v Batley Boys, Whitehaven v London Skolars, Askam v York City Knights, Oldham v Featherstone Lions, Hunslet v Oulton Raiders.