York City Knights 16-20 Bradford Bulls: 5 things we learnt

Here are five things we learnt from the LNER Community Stadium clash.

1. York's worrying pre-play-offs form shows no signs of slowing

After George Flanagan's try midway through the first half, St Helens forward and Premier Sports pundit Kyle Amor remarked that Bradford Bulls looked like the side heading for the play-offs rather than York.

And while Bradford were far from dominant at the LNER, such an assertion says plenty about the Knights' recent struggles.

The run now stands at five defeats from their last seven matches, which will almost certainly move to six losses from eight at runaway promotion favourites Leigh Centurions on Sunday (3pm).

July's four-game losing run was ended by tight back-to-back wins over bottom four sides Newcastle Thunder and Dewsbury Rams and though positive results, winning margins of nine and 12 points respectively did not appear to be the form of a side heading into the play-offs.

Add the dismal loss to Bradford to that equation - the first loss in the league to a side to a side below them in the table - and the Knights need a huge finish in their final four matches for anyone to be confident that they can challenge Halifax Panthers, Batley Bulldogs or Barrow Raiders in the play-off quarter-finals.

2. Concerning lack of proficiency in good ball

The main concern for York following the loss to Bradford must be the lack of cutting edge they showed in good ball, particularly in the second half.

The Knights had countless spells in the Bulls 20, yet rarely looked like breaking through.

With an abundance of creativity among their squad's four half-backs - Brendan O'Hagan, Jamie Ellis, Liam Harris and Ata Hingano - to go scoreless in the last 40 minutes is a major worry.

Since putting 40 points past Whitehaven in June, York have failed to surpass 30 in their subsequent seven matches while their season-long points scored tally is less than that of ninth-placed Sheffield Eagles.

3. Errors to blame not the referee

Much was made of the performance of referee Liam Rush and, at first glance, the controversial Pauli Pauli sin-binning did appear harsh.

With that said though, York had to adapt to the official's clampdown on high shots and could hardly claim to be overly hard done by when Bradford edged the penalty and six-again count 13-11.

The 16 errors made by the Knights compared to the Bulls' nine was more decisive to the final result than the man in the middle.

4. Top six finish still in little doubt

Although Bradford coach Mark Dunning made positive noises about his side's play-off chase, it would take an almighty collapse for York to surrender sixth position.

The Knights need just one more win and still have to face bottom-half sides Sheffield, Newcastle Thunder and Workington Town.

York securing a play-off spot is highly commendable but having appeared set for such a finish for so long, they will be desperate to put up a fight in them and end the current limp to the finishing line.

5. Bradford's production line continues

For all of Bradford's failings on and off the field this year, their ability to keep on producing talent remains.

In just his second first-grade match, 18-year-old Myles Lawford did not look out of his depth at half-back and his opportunist try was deserving of his efforts.