THE Challenge Cup has thrown up some breathtaking games for York City Knights in their short history. This was another one.

For excitement and sheer bite-yer-nails stuff, this ranks up there with the memorable Cup win at Featherstone last year.

It came at just the right time for the Knights too. Their season might not have begun as well as last year, but, with a few doubters beginning to come out of the woodwork, this game and the courage needed to win it will have proved a point.

Oldham have not had the greatest of starts either, with financial worries and an injury-hit squad, a situation which worsened in the warm-up as stand-off Carlos Mataora pulled up. But they are still a good National League One outfit and had home advantage.

To triumph 32-28 as York did in such an incident-packed ding-dong tie was no mean achievement and, while a fifth-round trip to Super League giants St Helens and almost certain defeat might not be the prize everyone wanted, it at least brings a decent pay-day and another good day out.

And an even bigger reward will hopefully be the effect this triumph has on the Knights' NL2 campaign.

Cook described this win as a game for the fans, given that both coaches were probably pulling their hair out - but it was hardly good for anyone's blood pressure.

Even right at the death, when Lee Jackson scored a try to seal it, referee Gareth Hewer conspired to get the pulses racing again by disallowing it, giving Oldham one last chance as the Knights tried to regroup.

But the visitors drew breath again and held on - and the "We're York and we're proud of it" chant was back.

York had had to overcome an awful start when a difficult pass from Neil Law wasn't held by Jon Liddell and, following the Oldham scrum ten yards out, Simon Haughton crossed, half-back Marty Turner adding his first of three conversions.

Liddell was playing at full-back in place of the injured Matt Blaymire, one of several changes, the most notable of which saw Scott Rhodes switch to scrum-half and Lee Paterson start at stand-off, Paul Thorman making way, while Jackson started at hooker with Jim Elston on the bench, and Ian Kirke moved to loose-forward.

Those changes seemed to work as the Knights took the lead midway through the half, substitute Mark Cain being the architect of two Dan Potter tries. Cain's grubber saw the centre win the race and then his clever little pass put Kirke clear to send Potter over. Liddell took over the goalkicking duties from Paterson to add his first of four conversions.

The lead increased when, after Oldham centre Will Cowell had a try ruled out for knocking on, York broke upfield for Liddell to score after a lucky deflection from a Paterson pass.

However, home flier Gavin Dodd hit back with a 70-metre effort and Turner added a penalty.

York led 16-14 at the break and quickly increased the advantage when Fox came off his wing to find a gap. But Oldham soon regained the lead.

Dodd looked offside when he ran onto Barber's chip but the try was allowed to stand, then, after Cain had a try at the other end ruled out by a touch, Oldham went up the other end for Dodd to complete his hat-trick.

York got a bit of luck back when a rare penalty for offside at a drop-out led to Simon Friend blasting over, and then brilliance by Jackson created a try for James Ward, Liddell's goals upping their lead to eight points.

However, Nick Johnson reduced the deficit to four and then, with nails being bitten down to the knuckle, Oldham worked another overlap in the same corner.

But, with Johnson set to level the scores with the kick to come, a stunning tackle by Potter took him into touch at the flag, and several nerve-racking minutes later York were through.

Oldham 28, Knights 32

Oldham: Goddard, Dodd, Cowell, Wilkinson, Johnson, Turner, Barber, Bibey, Hough, Wilson, Haughton, Roberts, Svabic. Subs (all used): Kirkland, Nanyn, Gorey, Glassie.

Tries: Haughton 3; Dodd 34, 50, 59, Johnson 73. Conversions: Turner 3, 34, 50. Penalties: Turner 40. Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None. Sent off: None.

Knights: Knights: Liddell 8, Fox 8, Potter 8, Callaghan 7, Law 7, Paterson 8, Rhodes 8, Smith 7, Jackson 9, Sullivan 8, Ward 7, Friend 7, Kirke 8. Subs (all used): Elston 8, Cain 8, Sozi 7, Buckenham 7.

Tries: Potter 21, 26; Liddell 31; Fox 42; Friend 63; Ward 70. Conversions: Liddell 26, 31, 63, 70. Penalties: None. Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None. Sent off: None.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven). Rating: Left people scratching their heads at times. Received criticism from some Oldham fans yet a few bizarre decisions could have proved costly for York.

Penalty count: 8-5

HT: 14-16

Gamebreaker: Dan Potter's wonderful tackle on Nick Johnson in the corner in the dying minutes denied Oldham the chance to win the game.

Attendance: 1,282

Weather watch: Dry, calm, pleasant.

Match rating: The kind of game rugby league was invented for. By far York's best of the season and right up there with the best in the Knights' short history.

Updated: 10:51 Monday, April 04, 2005