YORK City Knights coach Mick Cook insists there is still a long way to go in the title race.

The Knights' breathtaking 23-15 win at second-placed Dewsbury Rams increased their lead at the top of LHF National League Two to three points with five games to go.

But, while some pundits have claimed this result means the title and sole automatic promotion place is now York's to lose, Cook reckoned it was not a 'back-breaker' in the championship battle.

"They're very crucial points," he said of last Sunday's victory spoils. "It puts a little bit of distance between ourselves and second place. But we've still got some very challenging games to come."

That starts at Blackpool this Sunday when the Knights will be backed by another large travelling army who are pictured above in full voice at the Rams' Tetley's Stadium which saw its biggest crowd of the season.

Indeed, the vocal support the Knights get could be a big factor in roaring them on towards the championship.

But Cook stressed the players knew that nothing was yet cut and dried.

He said: "The lads needed to enjoy the win. They worked hard all week and it was a great all-round team effort to win it.

"But I don't think it will be difficult bringing anyone back down to earth. That will happen in training.

"There were some players not even celebrating much because they know they underachieved as individuals. That's the pressure at the club and it's a good pressure as people know they have to play well to keep a shirt.

"All the players know we've still got a massive amount of work to do."

Dewsbury coach Andy Kelly, whose side travel to Sheffield Eagles tonight in what could prove to be a crucial game for the Rams, said his team would not give up in the title race.

He said: "It's going to be extra difficult for us now. York will have to slip up twice and the way things have gone, it looks unlikely that that will happen. But with five games left, we've got to work as if it will happen. We have to keep the pressure on."

:: Banana skins litter title run-in

YORK City Knights have one foot in LHF National League One, but the NL2 title pursuit could yet produce several twists and turns.

The Knights have a bit of breathing space, which at present effectively allows them to lose one game, but they face two difficult ties on paper and banana skins to boot.

Their biggest hurdles appear to be away to bogey side Hunslet, who have surprised many people this season, and at home to Workington, the Cumbrians having put on arguably the best performance against the Knights this season when winning 44-28 at Derwent Park. Both Hunslet and Workington are firmly entrenched in the play-offs.

York's home game against London Skolars appears a formality, as did this Sunday's trip to Blackpool - until the Panthers shocked everyone by thrashing Gateshead last weekend - while Sheffield on a Friday night will not be an easy excursion should the Knights need the points on the last weekend of the season.

Second-placed Dewsbury's run-in seems easier on paper. They too must face Sheffield, Skolars and Blackpool, with their other opponents being Keighley and Swinton. Of those five, only the Lions are in the top half of the table, while the Rams have the advantage of playing their last game 48 hours after the Knights, so will know what they need to do if the title is not yet won.

Workington, Swinton and Hunslet need the Knights to slip up three times and Dewsbury twice, so their hopes are slim.

Town play four teams in the bottom half in addition to the Knights so are probably best placed to launch a late bid - just like they did last season - while Swinton and Hunslet will take points off each other this weekend.

Updated: 10:14 Friday, August 05, 2005