YORK City Knights’ wait for a league win goes on after they were out-fought in a 28-4 defeat at Halifax.

A couple of tries from Shaun Robinson and another from Steve Tyrer had Halifax in a strong position at the break and the hosts followed that up by scoring 10 more points after the restart.

The defeat is York’s third in succession at the start of the Betfred Championship campaign and their attack surely remains the primary concern, having now scored only 14 points in three matches.

It was a performance that few could have seen coming after the impressive nature of last week’s win at London Broncos in the Coral Challenge Cup.

York made just one change to the 17 that played in the capital, dual registration winger Lewis Carr making his competitive York debut in the place of Brad Hey.

The Castleford Tigers back gifted Halifax an early chance though, dropping the ball coming out of yardage, but an over-weighted James Woodburn-Hall in-goal kick was all Fax could conjure from the set.

Halifax continued to probe the York left side as Woodburn-Hall won a drop-out from a neat grubber.

Elliot Wallis saw that kick behind but couldn’t do the same with one from Scott Grix minutes later, allowing Shaun Robinson to dive on the ball to break the deadlock.

Steve Tyrer added the conversion with a great strike from inside the touchline.

York responded well and thought they found a potentially levelling score through Will Jubb.

The hooker darted to the line from close range and his team mates were celebrating, though the referee spotted a double movement.

Then, in rather odd circumstances, Halifax doubled their lead.

Unorthodox kicker Brandon Moore prodded the ball to the left corner and Robinson had no defenders within his vicinity and dotted the ball down.

Another classy touchline conversion followed from Tyrer.

Tyrer added to his points tally with a converted try before the half hour mark.

Scott Murrell kicked forward but Jack Teanby got a touch that gave Fax the ball back in hand.

That allowed Tyrer to drive inside from the left and make it to the line between several York defenders.

A third Tyrer conversion was added and Halifax led 18-0.

As the half drew to a close, York finally beginning to trouble the Fax defence and had themselves camped on the hosts’ line.

Two quick-fire penalties put York within close range, but in spite of stand-out Jimmy Keinhorst twice being stopped short, York looked shorn of ideas and the pressure yielded no points as the half-time hooted sounded.

Halifax’s defence remained strong after the restart, but perhaps over-committed as they conceded a couple of penalties to put York on their line.

From it came the Knights’ best chance. Ben Johnston, playing at the Shay for the first time since his off-season move, played the ball to Keinhorst who stretched out an arm but lost control of the ball on the line.

Trailing by three scores with half an hour left, it was a huge chance to miss.

If it wasn’t already, it was almost game over on 55 minutes.

Murrell hoisted a high kick that neither Matty Marsh nor Wallis claimed, allowing Murrell to jump on the ball. Marsh did just enough to get hold of the ball too and prevent the try.

On the hour mark, Halifax secured the points. Tyrer’s pass put Robinson is space on the left flank as they worked the numbers well and the winger threw the ball back inside for Woodburn-Hall to dive over. This time Tyrer’s kick went wide.

York continued to create chances with Chris Clarkson knocking on a sharp Will Jubb pass to him on the line.

But that mistake was quickly punished when Broughton broke down the right and the supporting Grix was on hand to claim his 150th career try. Tyrer added the extras.

With nine minutes left, York ensured that they wouldn’t finish on zero points for the second league game running.

Keinhorst was the deserved scorer, diving on a Johnston stab to the right flank. Robinson’s kick was wide of the mark.

York pressed for more points late on but, as it had done so often, the ball went to ground and Halifax stood strong.

Halifax: Grix, Robinson, Tyrer, Saltonstall, Broughton, Murrell, Woodburn-Hall, Hirst, Moore, Calcott, Garside, Brearley, Fairbank.

Subs (all used): Cur. Davies, Fleming, Hewitt, Larroyer.

Tries: Robinson (15, 21), Tyrer (29), Woodburn-Hall (60), Grix (68)

Goals: Tyrer (4/5)

York: Marsh, Carr, Keinhorst, Salter, Carr, Johnston, Robinson, Clarkson, Jubb, Stock, Washbrook, Scott, Spears.

Subs (all used): Brining, Green, Baldwinson, Teanby.

Tries: Keinhorst (71)

Goals: Robinson (0/1)

Referee: Jack Smith.

Attendance: 1,430

York Man of the Match: Jimmy Keinhorst. A strong runner all game and deservedly scored York’s sole try.

Penalty count: 4-11