Alan Pallister questioned the future of York Wasps after his long-awaited comeback turned into a nightmare at Spotland yesterday.

Club captain Pallister had been itching to get back in the thick of the action after enduring seven long weeks on the sidelines through suspension.

But instead of enjoying a dream return he could do nothing as the Wasps were beaten 98-0 by Rochdale Hornets, the biggest defeat in the club's history.

It was another embarrassing result, made even worse as Chorley leapfrogged the Wasps in the table courtesy of their victory over bottom club Gateshead.

A distraught Pallister was almost lost for words. He said: "Where do we go now? What do you do? We're all trying hard but it's just not enough. We could do with a couple of key professionals in key positions.

"I think there's only myself, Rammo (Mick Ramsden) and Dobbo (Gareth Dobson) who are professionals.

"I wouldn't have felt so bad if I'd had a good game myself but I didn't. I felt I let myself and the team down. I wanted to come back and see if I could make a difference and see if I could get the players to do things a bit quicker but I think I made it worse."

The last game Pallister played before his enforced lay-off was in the Challenge Cup defeat by Villeneuve. Since then the Wasps have gone from bad to worse with several more departures and six heavy defeats.

It has been a tough period for Pallister who noticed a difference from his last match. He explained: "I found it hard playing at the pace the game was at - we're usually much quicker. I kept getting caught out. Usually I'm the one chasing to keep up but this time I was trying to get the players keeping up with me.

"It's been very hard not playing. I don't like watching at the best of times so to watch your team that you've captained is even worse."

The 30-year-old hooker is currently in his testimonial year after ten years service with the Wasps, an irony which was not lost on Pallister. "Ten years at the club and I must have picked the worse one for my Testimonial. It's the worst it's ever been but those are the cards you're dealt with," he said.

"We just need to keep the players we have got together and stick by Lee (Crooks) as long as we can. The lads seem to be enjoying themselves and there's bit of team spirit coming back but that will soon go if we keep getting beaten like this."

Updated: 09:29 Monday, April 09, 2001