BOSS Richard Agar lauded play-maker Scott Rhodes after the stand-off's superb display helped York City Knights beat Workington 44-24 at Huntington Stadium on Saturday.

The victory assured the Knights second spot in LHF Healthplan National League Two with one game to play and Agar, although admitting his side were "patchy" on the whole, said Rhodes, who scored one try and set up three more, was outstanding.

He said: "Scott was magnificent at times. He's brave, takes the line on and his vision is very good."

Barrow beat Gateshead 45-34 yesterday to stay top by one point and are expected to see off lowly Dewsbury on the final weekend of the regular season to secure the sole automatic promotion place, leaving York to fight it out in the play-offs.

York cannot finish any lower than second after rivals Sheffield lost 32-24 at Swinton.

Updated: 11:54 Monday, September 06, 2004