Oldham 22 York City Knights 24

Oldham: Johnson, Eccleston, Holmes, Reid, West, Crook, Hewitt, Joy, Hughes, Neal, Bridge, Langtree, Lannon. Subs (all used): Bent, Nelmes, Spencer, Wilkinson.

Tries: Reid 29, 54; Langtree 43; West 63.

Conversions: Crook 29, 43, West 63 (3/4).

Penalties: none.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Knights: Moss 8, Cockayne 6, Batchelor 8, Hey 8, Robson 8, C Robinson 8, Marsh 8, A Robinson 8, Ellis 9, Siddons 8, Horne 8, Scott 8, Spears 9. Subs (all used): Jubb 7, Donaldson 8, Roche 8, Porter 7.

Tries: Marsh 11; Moss 37; Donaldson 52; Batchelor 60.

Conversions: C Robinson 11, 37, 52, 60 (4/4).

Penalties none.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Man of the match: Andy Ellis – the hooker gave a superb first stint not only with the ball but in defence too, and likewise was a key figure with and without the ball at the end as the Knights saw out the game.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths (Widnes) – good.

Penalty count: 8-4

Half-time: 6-12

Weather: okay.

Attendance: 703

Moment of the match: There were some good tries but surely the moment of the match came late on when Oldham looked set to score a winner only for wonderful defence to halt both Kenny Hughes and David Hewitt inches short as they made darts for the whitewash. York’s effort was underlined by the fact three players needed treatment on their own goal-line.

Gaffe of the match: Having taken the lead just before half-time, the Knights needed to consolidate by starting the second half solidly, but Ben Cockayne dropped the kick-off, giving a platform for an equaliser. Then after they retook the lead again, Cockayne dropped the restart, giving a platform for another equaliser. The winger had turned to face his own line both times and the ball clearly went backwards both times but referee Marcus Griffiths gave the hosts an attacking scrum both times.

Gamebreaker: York’s defensive effort late on - the moment of the match - denied the Roughyeds what would surely have been a winner. Cockayne also redeemed himself when challenging the much taller Danny Bridge under a high kick in the red zone, causing the Oldham man to knock-on in their last attack.

Match rating: like the match against Bradford, this was another close cracker of Championship quality against a relegated team, York taking Oldham on at their own game on their own patch and this time prevailing to underline their own promotion credentials. If the games continue in this vein, we’re in for a belting season.