YORK City Knights playmaker Phil Hasty believes the new-look team are finally starting to gel together.

The scrum-half was the star of Sunday's narrow Northern Rail Cup second round win after scoring two tries and setting up the other.

But while perfection is still on the to-do list for the fledgling National League One club, Hasty feels the team are definitely pulling together - and could end up in the top six come the end of the season.

He said: "It's taken a while to fit in for a new team but hopefully I'm getting a few games under my belt now so we're starting to come together but it just takes time to gel.

"I think we've still got a long way to go. As a team we've got Dan Potter away and players like Rob Spicer who are playing out of position. He was signed as a second row but he's still doing a great job for us at centre - his tackling in the middle and his breaks when he gets going are really good too.

"When we finally get going we will do well. A lot of people don't like this cup competition but to me, it gives us different aspects to work on. If we do click, top six is possible. And if we can get in the top six, that will be a great achievement."

Hasty topped off his man of the match performance with the game-winning try that booked the Knights on the road to Workington for the quarter-finals on May 7 - plus a cheeky celebration 15 metres from the line.

"That was for Frank Watene (Dewsbury prop)," he said. "I told him before the game that if I score the winning try, I'd give him a wave."

Hasty added: "Although it wasn't the best performance, it was a win and winning boosts the confidence.

"The fans have been loyal. I know how frustrating it is when we are giving silly stuff away like we did against Halifax - and we know we can't afford to do it in this league."

Next up is Rochdale in National One on Sunday - the kind of clash made to breathe fear into the hearts of newly promoted teams where a side not expected to do so well - one of the 'easier' beats - is actually streets ahead.

But Hasty is confident the Knights can respond with their new-found teamwork.

He said: "Rochdale are going really well - I think they haven't been beaten in all competitions. But theirs is a big open pitch and I think we play our best rugby on open pitches like we did at Widnes, where we can get the ball out to our wide men."

Updated: 09:20 Tuesday, April 25, 2006