Swap the sky blue jerseys for yellow and Tuesday night's meeting at Huntington Stadium could have been a replica of the reformation meeting of four years ago.

The looks of grave concern were certainly the same.

But this was a good news story - a chance to take things forward, to move on up and be positive.

But the build-up - with more dramatics than a hammed-up RADA pantomime - left York fans dreading the news.

As it was, despite Roger Dixon quickly telling supporters to be not afraid, the announcement of the Lancealotto draw scheme didn't come until a good half-hour after the speeches had got under way.

Looking at some of the message boards this week, the jury seems to be split on whether it was a genius piece of marketing from the "if you build it they will come" school, to a cruel misuse of power - although some of the teasers that sneaked out of Knights HQ were suggesting laughter not tears as the meeting neared.

There were plenty of laughs to be had as the speakers unveiled a talent for stand-up with development officer Ian Wilson, injured hooker Jim Elston and head honcho Mick Cook all raising smiles.

There was also a confession from Mick Ramsden - of how the demise of the old Wasps kept him awake at night with 'what ifs'.

It was a successful night without a doubt and the buzz of the new lottery - and the benefits it could bring - drowned out any sense of anti-climax.

And if there was just one indicator of the potential it was the genuine shock on behalf of former Leeds chief executive Alf Davies at the strength of the support. He admitted, several times: "I'm absolutely gob-smacked to see the amount of people here in the York City Knights function bar."

Phil Hasty's eye-catching performance against Dewsbury - the one with two tries, setting up the other and three goals - seized the gaze of the Northern Rail Cup player-of-the-round panel.

But Hull KR's French centre Damien Couturier turned their heads further with his monumental 14-goal effort in the Robins' club record 88-6 defeat of Halifax.

He also touched down two tries and only missed one goal attempt in an individual 36-point haul to get the judges' call for award.

Hatsy though was the undisputed man-of-the-match winner at Huntington Stadium, bagging three player-of-the-year points for the Evening Press/ Collier Plant Hire competition.

That pushes him into the thick of mid-table in the standings. New boy Jamaine Wray added sparkle sufficient to earn a two-point bonus on his debut off the bench, with Jamie Bovill just edging out Rob Spicer for the final point.

Latest Evening Press/ Collier Plant Hire Player of the Year standings: Golden 14, Elston 12, Law 8, Rhodes 7, Blaymire 5, Farrell 5, Hasty 5, Spicer 5, Buckley 4, Bates 3, Smith 3, Bovill 2, O'Loughlin 2, Wray 2, Forsyth 1.

Congratulations to Jason Golden who has muscled his way into the National League One team of the month for April as the second best second-rower behind Hull KR's Michael Smith.

Hasty finished as the number three scrum-half with KR's James Webster first and John Duffy of Whitehaven second.

A quick apology to ex-Hull KR and now Dewsbury Rams prop Frank Watene.

In trying to snatch a quick word with Phil Hasty in the bar after the game, I inadvertently stepped on Frank's toe.

I apologised profusely and he took it well, despite obviously being in a touch of discomfort.

I got an insight into what I had put him through in the same bar on Tuesday night when an 11-year-old lad mistook my black shoe for carpet in the crowded room at the launch of the Lancealotto.

He was wearing trainers and thankfully wasn't the heaviest of kids but it still smarted, which made me feel even worse about the Frank incident that had taken place just two yards away.

I was wearing heavy, chunky heels. Poor Frank was wearing flip-flops.

Agar boost Ex-Knights coach Richard Agar has bagged himself a new two-year contract at Hull FC thanks to his spot of caretaking following John Kear's exit from the KC Stadium.

The assistant coach guided the Super League club to three wins out of four - doubling Hull's win-tally to date - and will now continue as Peter Sharp's number two.

Red is all Francis Stephenson's red card for striking former team-mate Jamie Bovill in the face in the National League One match on Good Friday was punishment enough according to the RFL Disciplinary Committee.

The prop was sent off in the 68th minute after using his elbow on opposite number Bovill after a scuffle in the ruck. The committee ruled the sending-off was sufficient.

Knights out Fancy a good Knight out? The Supporters' Club have two events lined up in the next couple of weeks.

Thursday is video night in the Stadium Bar starting at 7.30pm. Entry is £2 - or half that for members.

The Knight For The Fans road show moves to amateur club York Acorn on Thanet Road on May 11, again at 7.30pm. It's at York's favourite price - free.

Potter's big push YORK City Knights team captain Dan Potter has earmarked the potentially crucial May 28 trip to Batley Bulldogs as his comeback game, writes Peter Martini.

The centre, out with a badly broken thumb, says the best-case scenario would be the home match against National League One title favourites Leigh Centurions on May 14, but believes the visit to Mount Pleasant is a more likely.

The good news is this means he will miss only one more league game - tomorrow's trip to Rochdale Hornets - before being back.

The 27-year-old, dispelling rumours he had suffered a setback with his injury, said: "The pot has come off and the doctor said the bone has healed all right.

"I'm very limited with the movement in my hand and the wrist is still sore from being in pot but it's getting better by the day.

"The doctor said it would be six weeks before contact but said it was up to me and how strong it felt."