MANY people thought it would never happen, but York City Knights finally got in at Bootham Crescent – a year and one game since the move was supposed to take place.

The fact that the friendly against Castleford – 19 days after the big one against Hull was called off due to a waterlogged pitch – went ahead at York City's ground probably counted as the biggest result of pre-season, regardless of what happened on the pitch.

One box ticked for the community stadium scheme, the Knights players' main job was then to quickly familiarise themselves with their new surroundings, as well as proper match action again.

With a bit of luck the 20-16 defeat to a youthful Cas side – sealed by a bit of magic from, of all people, ex-Knight Greg Minikin – won't be an omen suggesting it will be an unhappy home for James Ford's men.

However, some scrappy play did suggest that, after their previous two outings fell to the weather, they could do with another run-out before competition begins.

New boy Brett Turner suggested he did not have the pitch's dimensions worked out as he booted the kick-off too long. The team's kicking game was off-range throughout. But two tries in the opening ten minutes bode well.

After Turner's big boot, Cas gave the ball straight back and York quickly won two penalties and then a dropout through Rich Wilkinson's grubber.

Then Harry Carter's flat pass from dummy-half put Mike Emmett in – not a bad way for vice-captain Emmett to begin his York career. Wilkinson converted.

A big hit on ex-Catalans forward Godwin Springer left the Cas prop needing treatment and gave York possession on halfway. Speedy play saw Brett Waller held up over the try-line, before Wilkinson's low kick was gobbled up by Brad Hey, Wilkinson goaling.

A lucky ricochet from a kick gave Cas their first good field position and after Ash Robson, whose quick feet at full-back were always likely to cause problems, drew in defenders, Jy Hitchcox had room out wide to cross.

Former York Acorn junior Robson showed up very well throughout – not for the first time this pre-season.

After York's blistering start, Cas forged a way back into the contest, despite losing hooker Luke Million to injury.

York thought they'd scored again as Wilkinson touched down half-back partner Jonny Presley's grubber but it was ruled offside.

Cas went up the other end and, after Turner was beaten to a high ball, thus forcing a dropout, and Brad Nicholson missed a tackle, Connor Fitzsimons crashed over, Ryan Hampshire converting.

The Tigers fluffed the restart but the defence held out, with Kriss Brining, Mark Applegarth and Nicholson all held up at the whitewash.

Cas, 12-10 down at the interval, went ahead early in the second half, Hitchcox dummying Wilkinson far too easily and sending Pat Diskin in, Robson goaling. That won't have pleased Ford.

The head coach gave a run to all 18 of his fit players – Danny Nicklas failing a late fitness test.

His team only showed glimpses of the free-flowing rugby that made them great to watch for much of last term, though that can only be expected in their first run-out of this year. Cas might have fielded predominantly youngsters but they are further ahead in their pre-season.

Brining and Ed Smith were held up as York fought to get back in the game.

Then, from Presley's floated pass, winger Nev Morrison was adamant he'd got in by the flag but the touch judge ruled he was barged out of play.

Big Brett Waller was also held up after a trademark run – before late pressure paid off. Wilkinson injected urgency – there could have been more than that – and James Morland finished expertly.

However, Minikin showed what made him such a hit at York in the last couple of years with a brilliant late try to win it.

One small silver lining was that it was impossible to see the losing scoreline on the laughably tiny rugby league scoreboard installed at the away end, some 100 metres from fans in the David Longhurst Stand.

Knights: Turner, Morrison, Morland, Hey, A Dent, Presley, Wilkinson, Waller, Carter, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Emmett. Subs: Brining, Applegarth, Spiers, Nicholson, Mallinder, England.

Tries: Emmett 5; Hey 10; Morland 73. Goals: Wilkinson 5, 10.

Castleford: Robson, Sheehan, Minikin, Gill, Hitchcox, Hampshire, Adamson, Springer, Million, Boyle, Cook, Westerman, Maher. Subs: Douglas, Fitzsimons, O'Neill, Dickson, Diskin.

Tries: Hitchcox 14; Fitzsimons 37; Diskin 44; Minikin 76. Goals: Hampshire 37; Robson 44.

Referee: Jon Roberts (Leeds).

* HUNSLET coach Barry Eaton has left the Knights' League One arch-rivals ahead of the new season. Former Keighley and Hunslet full-back Matt Bramald, an assistant to Eaton, has taken the reins.

* NEW Earswick All Blacks ALRC juniors had a bucket collection at York's game against Castleford for the victims of the York floods.