JAMES FORD lauded his class of 2018 as the "toughest side" he's coached in his time as York City Knights boss after watching them hold on for a battling 16-14 victory at in-form Doncaster.

Having taken title favourites Bradford Bulls to the wire and then winning by two points at Oldham to underline their own promotion credentials, Ford's troops again dug deep to triumph against a team who had been previously unbeaten and went into the game sat atop the Betfred League One table.

The result was a fifth straight win in a tough start to the campaign for the Minster city men - although Ford admitted it was difficult to keep his composure on the sidelines as the clock ticked down in a nail-biting finale.

"I'm smiling now but I wasn't at 78, 79 minutes," quipped 35-year-old Ford, who is now in his fourth season as Knights boss.

"The photographer down there said he's got a picture of me looking 70 years old."

He went on: "There were two very committed sides playing a very physical game.

"For a neutral it would have been a really interesting game to watch. From a coach's perspective, it was a challenge to maintain composure.

"But this is the toughest side I've worked with (since taking over as head coach). They find ways to turn up for each other and work for each other.

"At one point (due to injuries) we had only four players on the pitch who weren't forwards, which added to the test. But they just rise to every challenge.

"I'm really proud of what they're doing at the minute."

Doncaster had scored 136 points in three league games before this one, but were restricted by York to only two tries, both from kicks, despite plenty of ball in the red zone, especially in the second half.

The first half, meanwhile, had seen a couple of skirmishes, with York having two players sin-binned and Doncaster one.

Said Ford: "It was always going to be tough. There was a bit of banter between the sides beforehand that maybe led to it being a bit tasty.

"But this is not the York team of 2014 or 2015. This is York now and we can stand up and give more than our fair share.

"The whole team was superb. I'm just really proud."

Ford in particular lauded his captain marvel, Tim Spears, who had passed a late fitness test to play and went on to complete the full 80 minutes at loose-forward.

"Tim has not trained all week with a hamstring issue and we weren't sure he was going to play," explained Ford.

"But he's produced 80 minutes - he's just relentless.

"If there are leadership models maybe they should make a new one and call it 'the Tim Spears'.

"I wish I could have my time again and play under Tim as captain. He's an inspiration.

"We've got a lot of leaders. Real tough games come down to the wire and that leadership, that grit, is what I believe is getting us through."

York's two tries came from fit-again prop Ronan Dixon and Will Jubb, who filled in at second-row due to injuries having played the full 80 minutes against Keighley last Sunday in his usual hooker role.

Said Ford of the former Hull KR youngster: "Will has effectively got the match-winner. I love him as a person. He trains as hard as he can, doing his extras, and he's a very clever player who is always willing to put the team first.

"That's the culture we have at York and Will epitomises it."