HOW ironic was that. York City Knights' charge to the LHF National League Two title has been full of remarkable comebacks and daring returns from the death, including the one that memorably won them the championship last week at Hunslet.

But in their final home game of the season, they were on the receiving end for once as Workington came from 18-4 down with a quarter of an hour left to win 20-18 with a try four minutes from time from full-back Lusi Sione, the hat-trick nemesis when York last lost, away to Town in June.

Of course, it mattered little to the Knights, who were presented with the league trophy on the Huntington Stadium pitch after the game, but it did take some gloss off the occasion - although not much judging by the joyous reception the team got from the jubilant fans, who stayed around long after the final hooter to cheer their heroes.

The match itself was okay. Home fans were kept entertained early by little pieces of excellence from the likes of Peter Fox and Lee Jackson but the Workington defence appeared quite comfortable, aided by a few sloppy moments from York, and it was they who came closest in a pointless first quarter before going ahead with a fine individual try from Lee Kiddie.

The Knights suffered a blow when Player of the Month Dan Potter went off with a shoulder problem, fellow centre Neil Law also being forced off later, and they were struggling to get out of their own half. But when they finally did, Jim Elston was held up before John Smith blasted in. Paul Thorman's first of three goals put York ahead.

They then began to glean authority and, minutes after some champagne rugby nearly cut through Town again, Chris Levy darted through from acting-half for a 12-4 half-time lead.

Town winger Martyn Wilson had a try early in the second half ruled out for a forward pass but again defences were on top until Levy showed great footwork to send opponent Matthew Tunstall for a cup of tea and step to the line.

But then came the comeback.

Brett Smith powered over on the back of a strange decision by referee Colin Morris to award Town a scrum and, after a more prominent decision saw Joe Helme sin-binned for a professional foul at the play-the-ball after Town had broken through, Sione immediately scored a converted try.

A high tackle on Paul Thorman saw the home scrum-half pick himself up but, with his head still ringing, he missed the penalty at goal and, on a day of ironies, it was fitting that a player whose goals were crucial in the title triumph should fluff the two points that were to prove vital in this game as Fox could not gather a bouncing chip and that man Sione pounced.

Brett Smith's conversion gave Town the points which maintained their hopes of runners-up spot and thus an easier play-off route.

Good luck to them, and fair play to them for staying around to applaud the Knights as they lifted the trophy. They might have completed the double over York - but, of course, the big winners on the day and over the season were the Knights, the champions.

Knights: Blaymire 6, Ross 7, Potter 6, Law 6, Fox 7, Levy 8, Thorman 6, Forsyth 6, Jackson 7, Helme 8, Ramsden 8, J Smith 7, Paterson 7. Subs (all used): Elston 7, Callaghan 7, Sullivan 7, Sozi 7.

Tries: J Smith 28; Levy 40, 55.

Conversions: Thorman 28, 40, 55.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Workington: Sione, Woodock, Frazer, Roper, Wilson, Kiddie, Manihera, Cox, Limmer, Vaughan, Tunstall, Tuimaualuga, Purdham. Subs (all used): Robinson, McGuiness, B Smith, Lavulavu.

Tries: Kiddie 23; B Smith 65; Sione 69, 76.

Conversions: B Smith 69, 76.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Chris Levy - it was fitting the Aussie lifted the league trophy after a fine display in which he scored two tries and was a threat in attack while doing his duties defensively. Joe Helme just missed out on the award after a forceful display at prop, mired only by his yellow card.

Referee: Colin Morris (Huddersfield).

Rating: The crowd seemed to see more than he did though he tried to let the game flow.

Penalty count: 5-6.

HT: 12-4.

Gamebreaker: Lusi Sione's match-winning try four minutes from time.

Attendance: 2,177.

Weather watch: hot and sunny.

Match rating: The result put a bit of a dampener on what was a good encounter on a great day all round.

Coach Cook's verdict: "I like to win games and we prepared a team to win so it was very disappointing to lose. But you can't take away the promotion."

Updated: 10:49 Monday, September 05, 2005