THREE controversial refereeing decisions robbed York Wasps of their first victory on Hull Kingston Rovers turf for 40 years.

Stanley Gene of Hull Kingston Rovers brings York's Darren Callaghan crashing down to earth in yesterday's Northern Ford Premiership match.

That was the opinion of disconsolate Wasps coach Dean Robinson after Wigan official Graham Shaw disallowed two second half York tries at Craven Park.

That would have condemned Rovers to their first defeat in the Northern Ford Premiership but instead they hung on to win 22-16 despite a brave Wasps fightback.

With York trailing 20-12 with ten minutes to go, Shaun Austerfield and then Mick Ramsden both crossed the Rovers' whitewash only to see their efforts ruled out, the first for obstruction and the second for a forward pass.

It was made even harder to bear as Shaw had earlier allowed Richard Smith's try which put the Robins 12-0 up after just six minutes, despite the full back appearing to be offside when Chris Charles kicked through.

"They were two very poor decisions to disallow our two tries. I had a very good view of both and there was nothing wrong with either. And their guy was yards offside for their second try. If it had stayed at 6-0 I'm convinced we'd have gone on to win the game.

"I think the decisions that have gone against us have cost us the game and I feel sorry for the guys because they deserved to go home with something in their pocket.

"One or two people should take a long hard look at themselves and I'm not talking about the players," said Robinson, who revealed that he will be asking the Rugby Football League's referees controller Greg McCallum to watch a video of the match.

To make matters worse, Robinson could now face selection problems for Monday's home clash with high flying Hunslet Hawks after three players picked up injuries.

Mick Hagan is expected to be out for several weeks after damaging a shoulder, though fortunately not the same one which sidelined him for the whole of last season.

Steve Hill suffered a dead leg and Alan Pallister injured a calf, but Robinson is hopeful at least one of them will recover in time for Monday.

"It makes things difficult in the forwards but it would have been worth it we'd got the right result and we deserved the right result.

"At half-time the game was there for the taking. We defended magnificently and but for a flash of inspiration from Gene they've done nothing in the second half," said Robinson.

The Wasps will be confident of over-turning Hunslet if they can reproduce the form they showed yesterday.

But Robinson, who took in the Hawks' game against Bramley last night, admitted it will take a big mental effort from the players to lift themselves again after the manner of the defeat.

He said: "If you get your just rewards then it's easy to pick the team up because it motivates itself.

"But when you don't it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, especially when you're back on the paddock as early as Monday. But we're going to have to take it on the chin and focus for Hunslet."

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