LINDSAY Anfield had no complaints as her York Valkyrie fell to an 18-10 defeat at home to Wigan Warriors - admitting her side were "found out" by their fellow title challengers.

Winger Eboni Partington provided the Valkyrie’s only response to two Eva Hunter tries and an Ellise Derbyshire effort as they trailed 14-6 at the interval.

17-year-old Jenna Foubister then fired the Warriors further in front within minutes of the restart, but though York threatened, Partington’s second try with two minutes remaining was a mere consolation as they slipped two points behind the Betfred Women’s Super League top three.

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Anfield was able to welcome back second-rower Lacey Owen from injury, whilst French half-back Mahault Pommier was handed her first start and Sheffield Eagles star Lisa Parker a debut off the bench.

But she admits that the Valkyrie lacked punch, with Wigan deserving of their victory.

“They’ve been pushing the top teams close, especially Saints, in the last couple of games,” the director of rugby explained.

“We knew that it was going to be tough today, but there’s no complaints. They out-enthused us today.”

The Valkyrie travel to St Helens in just over a week’s time, a game that is always earmarked on their calendar.

But Anfield admits that if they are to maintain hopes of a third consecutive League Leaders’ Shield, their edge defence must improve.

“There’s obviously quite a lot to improve on,” she conceded.

“Offensively, we were good down the middle and I thought the forwards did well. The second half, when we started playing with the ball and with confidence, we looked dangerous.

“But on the edge, I don’t think all our edge players were genuine in their attack and that’s probably why we couldn’t create anything. We can work on that.

“Defensively on an edge, we were missing tackles. If you miss your one-on-one tackles, if you’re not talking, presenting a flat line, you’re going to get found out.

"Wigan found us out.”