Lee Crooks has set his sights on bringing in a play-maker to add a cutting edge to the York Wasps attack before next week's trip to Doncaster Dragons.

The Wasps again struggled to break down the defence in yesterday's 54-6 home defeat by Whitehaven in front of a crowd of just 315 - their lowest ever at Huntington Stadium.

Their only try came from a Ricky Hall interception which has prompted the York boss to make a play-maker his number one priority.

One name in the frame is former Hull FC half-back Johan Windley, while Crooks also has a couple of other players in mind.

In addition, half-back Mark Dooley is set to join the Wasps on loan from Hull KR this week.

Crooks was disappointed in the Wasps failure to control the ball yesterday which gifted the visiting Cumbrians many of their points, particularly in the first half when they raced into an unassailable 32-0 lead.

He said: "I'm very annoyed because I thought we allowed them to get a lead on us which we could have stopped.

"They scored 18 points in the first half from us turning the ball over in their 20 metre area on the third and fourth tackles.

"If we hadn't done that it might have been a different story. At times we didn't play that badly in attack but we squandered possession and allowed them easy opportunities which they took."

Crooks also criticised the Wasps' kicking game which failed to utilise a strong wind. He said: "In the first half our kicking game was poor and in the second half it was just as bad. People have got to accept responsibility for it."

And he warned he would not be afraid to make changes if new players became available.

"I will change things around because I'm getting very frustrated that we are working hard in training but the same players keep making the same mistakes," he added.

Forward Nathan Pincher believes the Wasps are heading in the right direction but admitted they still had some way to go.

"We're getting better but there's a lot we need to work on, especially in defence," said the 20-year-old, who is in the middle of a two-year contract.

"Credit to all the lads who have gone out and given everything. We've got a good spirit but as soon as the opposition scores our heads go down.

"It's been hard to adjust with so many new faces but I think we can improve as a team, we can get better, we've just got to work on it."

One of the new faces on show yesterday was full-back mike Hall who has joined York on loan from Hull KR.

After an early mistake which handed Whitehaven their opening try, he produced a confident display which earned praise from Crooks.

"Defensively under kicks he was very sound. He needs to inject himself more in the attacking line a bit more but he will be a good acquisition for us," said the Wasps chief.

Updated: 10:30 Monday, April 30, 2001