YORK City Knights battled to 30-22 defeat at promotion-chasing Featherstone Rovers on Sunday.

Here are five things that we learnt from the Millennium Stadium clash.

1. Plenty of positivity despite defeat

Even the most pessimistic of York supporters will have struggled to come away without some level of positivity from West Yorkshire.

While a fourth straight Betfred Championship defeat that sees the Knights drop to sixth is no cause for celebration, the performance was much-improved from the previous three losses.

With a reported £1.3m budget that dwarves York's, Featherstone were in place as huge favourites, yet there was little between the two sides through and the final eight-point margin felt like a fair reflection of the 80 minutes at full time.

Having pushed the likely play-off finalists so close can only give optimism for the run-in to the end of the regular season.

The pressure is now on to turn some bright signs against a much-fancied side in defeat to some victories over sides below them in the standings during the final seven games of the campaign.

2. Depleted Knights show fight

To have contended with Featherstone throughout is of great credit to York, made even more impressive by the fact that head coach James Ford had so many players missing.

First-choice full-back Matty Marsh remained absent through an unspecified injury, captain Chris Clarkson was concussed and prop Masi Matongo had a shoulder injury.

Add to that the continued enforced absences of winger Will Oakes, half-back Jamie Ellis and second-row Toby Warren as well as a fresh hamstring problem for forward Bailey Antrobus.

The sight of Joe Brown and Jacob Ogden out of position at full-back and back-row respectively was reminiscent of last season's often-farcical level of injuries.

Yet those absences were not keenly felt given the showing by the selected 17.

If York can produce similar performances with an even-stronger starting line-up, then a play-off spot will surely be theirs.

3. Joe Brown stands out in stand-in role

Although he has played there before for previous clubs, the weekend saw Brown in place at full-back for the first time in a York shirt.

With no Marsh and teenager Myles Harrison still finding his feet at Championship level, Brown proved a more-than-capable deputy.

He ran a great line from Pauli Pauli's offload before beating the covering full-back and scoring next to the sticks.

Should Marsh remain absent for the Summer Bash fixture with Newcastle Thunder on Sunday (6.15pm), Brown could ably fit at full-back again.

4. AJ Towse cannot stop scoring

Another weekend brought another try for Towse. In what is quickly becoming his trademark, the winger dived acrobatically over in the corner (although a more conventional finish may well have done the job, replays show) after just four minutes.

That was the former Heworth youngster's eighth try from nine matches this season.

Equally importantly, his defence is improving too and despite Fev targeting the York right wing, they failed to score down his flank.

5. Featherstone look short of Leigh's level

As was the case in pre-season, it looks hard to see past Leigh Centurions and Featherstone contesting the Million Pound Game.

Leigh would likely enter as rightful favourites based on current evidence.

Rovers have now conceded at least 22 points in their last four matches, three of those coming against bottom five opposition.

Anything can happen in a one-off game of course, but the smart money is surely on Leigh to win promotion.