Well beaten on the scoreboard maybe, but York Wasps will take plenty of heart from a much improved performance which augurs well for the new year.

BACK IN THE GROOVE: Mark Cain returned to action after his long suspension as the Wasps fought hard against Keighley

While last week's hammering by Doncaster was a major disappointment, there was no disgrace in this defeat at Cougar Park which flattered the home side.

A patched up York team were Keighley's equals when it came to fast-flowing attacking rugby in the middle of the park.

But while Keighley had the finishing touches to make their possession count, the Wasps were too often caught short.

At least there were signs that the Wasps are ready to kick-start their season and when they are back to full strength they will be more than a match for most of the NFP.

Among several changes from the side beaten by Doncaster, old favourite Garry Atkins was brought back into the fold in the three-quarters where Australian Andrew Lambert also made his debut.

Mark Cain was back after a six-match suspension, Shaun Austerfield was forced to line-up in the second row for the first time in his career due to Paul Darley's absence through flu and trialist Carl Paterson made his debut from the bench.

There was reason to believe the Wasps would struggle but instead they started at a flying pace in an enthralling first half.

It was end to end action all the way, Lambert showing his potential with a useful break on only the third tackle of the match. On the last tackle Darren Callaghan banged over a field goal to ensure York at least got something from the set of six.

But Keighley were keen to make their own contribution to the entertainment. It was slick and stylish too, as they crossed for two tries before York got another touch of the ball.

Both came in the same spot down the left side as first full-back Paul Owen and then centre Matt Foster turned Leroy McKenzie inside out.

Craig Robinson's two failed conversion attempts at least kept the Wasps in reach and they were soon right back in the hunt as Lambert got the game's third try after just 10 minutes.

Callaghan was the provider as he danced across the field searching for an opening before finding Lambert storming up in support to crash over.

There were still signs of weakness in the York defence though and the Cougars breached the line twice more only to have both tries disallowed, one for a double movement, the other for a knock-on.

Back came York again with a solo effort from McKenzie who has started the season in superb form. He took the ball from acting half after good play between Atkins and Spencer Hargrave and scooted through a gap to dive over.

There was a hint of obstruction by Andy Precious but the try was awarded and Kevin Gray's conversion put York ahead for the first and only time.

Instead of tightening up to hang on until half-time they let Keighley in for two tries which both came from breakaways. Winger Jason Lee raced 40 metres before being hauled down just short by a wonder tackle from McKenzie.

But it proved to be in the vain as the ball was moved out and Martin Wood, who by now was controlling the game, dummied to score the simplest of tries.

Then Nathon Antonik was put through a gap near the halfway line and he had too much pace for the York defence despite a desperate attempt from McKenzie.

Wood's conversion made it 20-11 at half-time and though Gray reduced the arrears with a 40 metre penalty immediately after the re-start Keighley soon put the game beyond reach with a try by Pickles.

It left York needing to score three times and in their desperation they threw away several good chances.

Chris Judge made a fine break but fumbled the pass which would almost certainly have given Gray a try.

Lambert also made a couple of good breaks but was brought down just short.

Even after Ian Hughes added another Cougars try York continued to throw the ball around but couldn't quite get it right. Austerfield looked to be heading for the whitewash after another good run by Judge but for some reason tried to pass inside with the line beckoning and threw the ball straight to a Keighley player.

Debutant Paterson just failed to take Cain's long pass and right at the death Austerfield was denied again when he was held back as he tried to get on the end of Cain's kick.

Referee Graham Shaw didn't award the penalty try which was deserved and, although it wouldn't have affected the result, would have given a fairer scoreline.

Maybe the better side won, but if ever a team can go home full of optimism after a defeat then this was it.

YORK WASPS: Kevin Gray 6, Leroy McKenzie 7, Garry Atkins 7, Andrew Lambert 7 (Carl Paterson), Matt Woodcock 6, Mark Cain 7, Darren Callaghan 7, Rich Hayes 7, Alan Pallister 6 (John McCracken 51, 6), Mick Hagan 7 (Dean Thomas 68), Chris Judge 8*, Shaun Austerfield 6 (Andy Precious 21mins, 7), Spencer Hargrave 8.

Re-subs: Austerfield for Atkins 61min

Tries: Lambert (10mins), McKenzie (22)

Goals: Gray 2.

Field goals: Callaghan (1min)

Man of the match

*Chris Judge: A potent threat in attack, always looked capable of breaking through the defence. Just pipped Spencer Hargrave

Keighley: Paul Owen, Craig Horne, Stuart Calvert (Chris Hannah 61), Matt Foster (Karl Smith 40), Jason Lee, Martin Wood, Craig Robinson, Steve Hall, Nathon Antonik, Phil Stephenson (Michael Slicker 53), Paul Harrison (Matt Walker 15min), Ian Hughes, Steve Pickles. Re-subs: Harrison for Hughes 71, Stephenson for Hall 76.

Blood-bin: Slicker for Hall 33, Hall for Slicker 49

Tries: Owen (3mins), Foster (7), Wood (34), Antonik (37), Pickles (48), Hughes (71)

Goals: Robinson 1, Wood 3

Match statistics

Penalties: Keighley 10, York 5

Scrums won: Keighley 6, York 5

40/20 kicks: Keighley 1, York 1

Half-time: Keighley 20, York 11

Referee: Graham Shaw ( Wigan)

Attendance: 2,450

Match rating: 8/10

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.