HALIFAX player-coach Anthony Farrell had a pop at York yesterday after his side beat the Knights 34-30 in the National League One Qualifying Final.

The Evening Press believes there was little love lost between Farrell (pictured left) and the Knights following the disciplinary hearing last Tuesday which saw Halifax's Jamie Bloem escape a suspension, along with York's Austin Buchanan, for misdemeanours in the previous play-off encounter between the sides.

And experienced prop Farrell, who officially hung up his boots after the game, criticised his opponents and said he had no empathy for the Knights despite the cruel way they lost the game.

"I don't feel any sympathy for York," he said.

"The way their players went about the game I was not impressed. They were cocky and big-headed."

Farrell also said he was sure the controversial 70-minute try, which swung the game Halifax's way, was going to be awarded by the video referee - despite the fact his players all lined up for a play-the-ball rather than a conversion.

"I was totally convinced," he said. "It will be in the papers that it was a try."

As for the game, Farrell had praise for the way his players fought back to win in the last ten minutes.

"It was a game of swings and roundabout," he said.

"Our players could have given up but we've been asking them to show character and when we really needed it they came out with it.

"A lot can happen in ten minutes. We asked for positive thinking and we got it. We came here to get a result. It doesn't matter how you get it as long as you get it."

Updated: 09:55 Monday, October 11, 2004