YORK City Knights saved the best until last to complete a 100 per cent winning run in pre-season.

Not only did they beat a Hull KR squad who provided the toughest test of York’s four friendlies, but they also beat them – 14-12 – thanks to the best move of the match just three minutes from time.

It looked like Rovers would win it when, with eight minutes left of a defence-dominated game, centre Liam Welham stole the ball from York’s trialist full-back, Lee Waterman, and had a clear run to the line.

But when they needed some magic, Adam Mitchell’s pass sent John Oakes away and his inside ball saw captain Paul Hughes stride to the posts to finish a 55-metre move that was converted to win the game by Mitchell.

Rovers had been expected to bring a more experienced squad but their first-team friendly against Warrington on Thursday, arranged late, which they won 32-24, meant plans changed.

Former Knights stars Peter Fox, the Acomb-born England winger, and Ryan Esders both played that night and are expected to have another run on Friday against Salford, so were left out.

They did start with first-team props, however, in Makali Aizue and Scott Wheeldon, as well as loose-forward Rhys Lovegrove, while scrum-half Scott Spaven has been promoted to those ranks from the academy.

The other players were no mugs either, and the pace was noticeably quicker than in the Knights’ previous three friendlies.

Rovers dominated the opening exchanges after Mark Applegarth lost the ball in the first hit-up. However, when they spread the ball wide, York winger Sam Blaney forced an error.

Blaney was in the team as Steve Lewis and Adam Jones both pulled out late, Lewis with a knee niggle and Jones because of illness. He was also one of eight players, along with Applegarth, Adam Sullivan, Danny Grimshaw, Hughes, trialist Carl Barrow, Scott Woodcock and Jack Stearman to double-up having played in Friday’s win over Castleford.

Young prop Stearman had been called up late following his performance against Cas – and he did well again, notably bouncing off two Aizue hits in the second half – and former Hull youngster Kris Peacock joined him among the subs having also been added at late notice.

Applegarth’s next few drives were much better, and Blaney made a bigger mark on ten minutes, touching down an excellent kick from Grimshaw, who continued his good pre-season form not least with solid defence throughout.

However, both Grimshaw and half-back partner Mitchell, whose touchline goal attempt hit a post, both conceded ground when kicks were charged down – Mitchell also twice failed to find touch with penalties – and, when Sullivan was penalised for laying-on, Rovers took advantage as hooker Jon Gay dug in from dummy-half.

This was after Jordan Ross – whose best game so far ended prematurely with a suspected broken jaw – had denied Ben Hardcastle. Spaven converted.

Penalties for holding down were not helping York but they created a half-chance from nothing as winger Johnny Waldron showed his pace, before his pass inside under pressure went dead.

Mitchell’s kicking game also improved – though in a farcical few moments, Waterman booted a penalty straight over the dead ball line, and Spaven kicked the 20-metre restart straight out.

That, and both sides’ penchant for giving away penalties, needed to improve. Defences were good, though, as shown by the 6-4 half-time scoreline, and York’s attack sharpened when Peacock broke through from Mitchell’s pass and sent in Waldron.

Mitchell missed the goal but his chip nearly created a try for Chris Clough, who again was quite prominent after joining the fray, and his pass did create a try for Peacock, only for referee Robert Hicks to harshly rule it out for a double movement.

York could have been more inventive when given field position, while both sides’ handling was not as clean as it could be.

The Knights’ coaching staff would be much happier with their defence, though, not least when a plethora of penalties gave Rovers five consecutive sets in the red zone – without breaking through. In fact, on the fourth, Rovers full-back James Haines was sin-binned, on 65 minutes, for trying to con Hicks with a dive.

Mitchell also made two try- saving tackles, but York broke out of defence led by Rob Kelly and Grimshaw nearly scored, being held up over the line.

Rovers did score, though, as Waterman fielded a clearing kick but had the ball stolen, Spaven goaling Welham’s try.

Waterman’s restart then went straight out, but Hughes’ try showed that maybe, just maybe, this York side have that winning mentality. Waterman also showed mental toughness when fielding a dangerous high bomb under pressure and he also halted winger Liam Bowler to end Rovers’ last chance.

Knights: Waterman, Blaney, Oakes, Clayton, Waldron, Mitchell, Grimshaw, Sullivan, Hughes, Applegarth, Kelly, Ross, Grundy.

Subs (all used): Williams, Clough, Barrow, Woodcock, Jack Stearman, Peacock.

Attendance: 1,403.