THREE of the York City Knights' four new signings helped propel their team to a fresh start yesterday in a 30-16 win at Huntington Stadium.

Craig Farrell, Dean Andrews and Adam Sullivan all made their debuts as the Knights shrugged off their four-game losing streak and laid down their marker for the rest of the season.

The win completed a unique double over LHF Healthplan National League Two league leaders Barrow, ended a month-long losing streak and took them within four points of top spot.

"It's just what the doctor ordered," said head coach Richard Agar. "We've been through a rocky spell and we said our confidence had taken a dent, but by the end of it, if we're being honest, it had taken a battering.

"The belief that we had the ability and that we could do it was never really in doubt but we were struggling with the application on the field.

"We have now got to back this up with a win again next week and take it from there."

The three new boys all made their presence felt, with both Andrews and Farrell getting on the team sheet and Sullivan proving a veritable man-mountain after coming on, in a collective performance that vindicated Agar's risk to introduce them to the fold.

He said: "As I said, I thought we needed an injection of enthusiasm from somewhere. Looking round I couldn't see it coming from within our own squad at that moment, bar a few exceptions. We had some tired looking players.

"Obviously, we are very sorry to see Damian Ball go, but by the same token if those guys who have come in can keep it up it certainly looks like the right decision.

"Only time will tell (if we got the better side of the deal). All I can say at the moment is that we are all very happy with the way the three new guys fitted in."

Still to make his debut but watching from the stands yesterday was Chris Spurr, a winger/ centre from Batley who was involved in a switch with assistant coach Nathan Graham.

Agar said: "Chris falls into the same bracket as the three who've already come in. He's not been overloaded with football this year, but when he's played he's played well and has scored tries and he's an uncompromising player.

"He's been today and he's liked what he's seen and he'll like the atmosphere and I'm sure he's relishing a chance to play with us."

Agar also had words of praise for his stand-in captain Scott Rhodes, who turned in a man-of-the-match performance.

He said: "It's no secret that we have had one or two issues with Scott about discipline and some aspects within the team. But we've put the responsibility on him today of being captain and he's come up trumps."

Ball enjoyed a try-scoring debut for Hull KR in their 29-24 defeat at Oldham in National League One.

Updated: 11:07 Monday, August 02, 2004