Half-backs could prove the difference between success and failure for York Wasps in the forthcoming Northern Ford Premiership campaign.

The Wasps go into Sunday's opening fixture against Doncaster Dragons without a pre-season victory after losing 14-12 to Gateshead Thunder yesterday.

In a tight encounter at Huntington Stadium, York had to make do with a makeshift half-back pairing for the second game in succession.

Paddy Handley and Gareth Stephens, the first choice stand-off and scrum-half, were again out injured, leaving Chris Allen and Gareth Oulton to deputise.

And coach Lee Crooks believes that if they have to manage without their preferred duo during the season they will find the going tough.

"The thing that sticks out most out of all the games is that if Gareth Stephens and Paddy Handley don't play we lack direction, and without direction in attack we will struggle," said Crooks, reflecting on York's third pre-season defeat.

"The effort the players have put in has been very good but we need to add some brains to that effort. All being well if we can get the ball in the right areas of the field and get direction we will cause teams problems."

Some consolation for Crooks is that Handley will be fit to return against Doncaster, though Stephens remains a doubt with the hamstring strain he picked up in the first game against Hunslet.

To add to Crooks' scrum-half woe, Gareth Oulton, signed from Lock Lane as cover for Stephens, left the field yesterday holding his arm and looking in some pain. The extent of his injury was not known.

Also missing from the side yesterday was centre Darren Hughes, who did not arrive in time after his car broke down on the motorway, and back row forward Andy Hill, who pulled out of training with a hamstring strain.

That at least gave Crooks the chance to mix and match his squad, and consider different options.

He said: "I'm disappointed because I expected us to play a bit better than we did do, but we've had a look at different people in different positions.

"We've seen what everyone can do but unfortunately there are a lot of areas that need a lot of work.