THERE was genuine hope, belief even, that York City Knights, of League One, could pull off the unthinkable and beat Super League opposition in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

James Ford’s men, backed by growing crowds at Bootham Crescent, went into the fifth round tie in buoyant mood on the back of a seven-game winning run, including knocking out Championship side Swinton in round four.

Visitors Catalans Dragons, conversely, have won only twice all season, and sit bottom of the top flight.

The BBC duly picked the game for live streaming, while plenty of national press were in attendance, too, sniffing a huge story.

In the end, it was not to be, the full-time power and persistence ultimately prevailing 34-22. However, for so long the part-timers were very much in it and duly ended as the moral winners – arguably beaten by some controversial refereeing as much as the away team.

Knocked out they were, a knockout blow this was not.

Having trailed 10-0, local lad Joe Porter scored two tries in four magical minutes to level the scores and lift the roof off the Main Stand.

The full-timers crossed again either side of the break but again the Knights fought back, the excellent Kieren Moss with a cracker.

Such was the Dragons’ concern, and that of boss Steve McNamara, the former England coach, that they went for two points with a penalty in front of the sticks to eke two scores ahead again.

They also needed several calls from referee Chris Kendall to maintain their advantage – Kendall getting royally booed off at the end of both halves.

But maintain their advantage they did, crossing twice more on the back of penalties before York – deservedly – had the last word.

Ford as expected gave a second debut to Jake Butler-Fleming following his arrival back at the club on loan from Toronto, while Brad Hey was also back in the centres after injury.

Dual-reg Will Oakes was unavailable – and may be for some time now he is in the first-team picture at Hull KR – while Jake Normington dropped to the bench, making an impact when he came on in the second period.

There was a shock in the pack, though, where front-line prop Graeme Horne was ruled out due to injury in training.

There were no dual-reg options either, but Player of the Year Joe Batchelor was fit to return to the second row and old stager Adam Robinson was also recalled. Mike Kelly made way.

There was a surprise on the bench with no interchange hooker selected – Aaron Smith was not allowed to be cup-tied by parent club St Helens, while Will Jubb was not included.

With Ben Cockayne continuing at stand-off, only scrum-half Connor Robinson and hooker Andy Ellis were recognised pivots in the 17. All three were superb for the full 80 minutes.

Catalans fielded pretty much a full-strength side, only Luke Walsh and captain Remi Casty missing, both injured.

And it looked like they would breeze through after scoring inside six minutes on the back of their first penalty - Vincent Duport drawing in Judah Mazive and giving a simple scoring pass to wide-man Fouad Yaha.

The Knights nearly equalised as Robinson’s long cut-out pass evaded Jodie Buchanan, only the Catalans winger did just enough to put off Ash Robson from taking the ball in with the try-line begging.

A clever Robinson chip then had the visitors scrambling back again, full-back David Mead knocking the ball dead with Robson again hunting.

However, the York scrum-half blotted his copybook when again kicking out on the full and, as Catalans kept up the pressure thanks to another cheap penalty, Jason Batieri crashed over from close range, Lucas Albert converting.

The penalties were already racking up for the visitors and they were only denied a third try by an offside call from a kick.

But then York’s toil and drive and desire to play good rugby brought due reward.

Another Robinson bomb had winger Yaha in trouble and, although he caught the ball, Mazive was all over him like a rash and stole it.

The platform set, sub Porter, not long on, ploughed a wonderful furrow to the line.

Connor Robinson missed the kickable conversion – hitting a post and ruining his superb recent ratio – but he was in the action again when grabbing a loose ball on his own 15 and charging upfield.

He didn’t have the legs to go all the way and, rather than take the territory, kicked on – only Robson was always going to be second best. Nevertheless, the Dragons forfeited possession and York forced a dropout.

Wrecking ball Adam Robinson smashed yards on a great line and then Porter was at it again, charging to the line.

Connor Robinson converted to level the scores and the supporters were in dreamland.

McNamara, conversely, was looking concerned.

However, another penalty went Catalans way and they retook the lead on the half-time hooter.

Joe Batchelor pulled off a superb try-saver on Albert, and Batieri was held up over the whitewash. But sub Mickael Simon got over, Albert goaling for a 16-10 advantage.

York began the second half well but were hit by a sucker punch after an awful decision from Kendall.

Julian Busquet dropped the ball in a hit-up but the referee waved play-on and, inevitably, a try followed, dangerous full-back David Mead setting up Albert for an easy six points.

Kendall made some amends shortly afterwards when Tony Gigot juggled a kick and touched it down, only for the try to be ruled out for a knock-on.

Then it was game on again, after a wonderful home try.

The ball was smartly moved right where Sam Scott got out a superb offload which Moss scooped up off his ankles on the run, Robinson’s goal making it 22-16.

Such was Catalans’ worries that they eked the lead up to two scores with a penalty in front of the posts, rather than have the confidence to go for a try.

“Super League, you’re having a laugh,” came the chant.

Nonetheless the top-flight side did then make the game safe – albeit aided by five consecutive free-kicks, the boos directed at Kendall getting louder with each one. Broughton and Greg Bird were the beneficiaries with the tries, Albert converting the latter.

But the Knights at least had the last word. Joe Batchelor grubber kicked, the ball got trapped between legs, and Batchelor grabbed it back and forged a way to the line, Robinson converting.

The home support, once again, were "York and proud of it".