CHRIS THORMAN became the first York City Knights boss to win his first three games in charge at Huntington Stadium – but he was far from happy after seeing his much-changed side only just scrape past Championship One minnows Gateshead.

The Knights needed two tries from debutant Chris Green, a shock inclusion in the 17, to turn a 22-14 deficit midway through the second half into a 26-22 Northern Rail Cup victory – and avoid the ignominy of becoming the first pro side in 46 matches to lose to the Tynesiders.

They were also grateful for the Thunder’s profligacy in possession late on, including in the last minute after big York prop Adam Howard was sent off for kicking out at Will Bate.

The result meant the Knights had begun a season with a hat-trick of wins for the first time since re-forming ten years ago, but Thorman said: “Attitude – we were not on it. If your attitude is not right you will get beat, and we were very close to getting beat.”

York had trailed 10-0 early on – former Knights Mike Mitchell and Tom Hodgson with the tries – and, although they hit back to lead 14-10 at the interval, the visitors also started the second half the better, Mitchell again on the scoresheet.

Asked about his half-time team talk, Thorman said: “I thought to myself, ‘This is going to go one of two ways. I can rip tiles off the wall and go ballistic, or I can be more constructive,’ and that’s the way I went – but I wish I hadn’t.

“I wish I had ripped off some tiles and some whiteboards and blackboards and pegs and thrown bags and kicked boots and water bottles – the whole lot, the whole shebang. Because that would’ve provoked a better reaction.”

Thorman had made nine changes to the side that beat Swinton on Thursday, including leaving himself out. But he did not use that as an excuse.

He said: “I tried to reiterate the message over and over again that this game would be tough. It was our third game in seven days and physically we were going to be drained, we wouldn’t be as well-prepared as we’ve been playing rather than training, and we’ve got some sore bodies. But that does not explain the performance at all.”

He added: “My heart rate was maxing out. I’m not going to make excuses. We’re three from three but we’ve set standards in training, in our pre-season games and in the opening two fixtures, and I can’t put a positive spin on that display.”

The Knights go to fancied Sheffield – the only other team with maximum points in pool ‘B’ – on Friday in their last group game, and they still need at least a bonus point to make sure of reaching the knockout stages. The top four go through and five teams currently remain in the running.

If York return with nothing, then points-difference could come into play – meaning the Knights could end up ruing yesterday’s narrow win.

Thorman added: “The only good thing is we won, but if any of those boys want to play on Friday then they’ve got some impressing to do in training. We’ve got a lot to fix up.”

Thorman had words of praise for new Thunder boss Kevin Neighbour.

“They’re a lot better than a lot of people give them credit for,” he said. “I’m just relieved we’ve got the win.”