BATTLING York Lokomotive ARLC cannot afford to lose another game in the RL Conference Yorkshire east division – after they just failed to overcome a controversial sending-off in an ill-tempered match against play-off rivals Cutsyke.

The Lokos had ended Cutsyke’s unbeaten record earlier in the campaign but this time a late drop goal brought a 21-20 defeat and left them off the pace in the table, with a crucial game at high-flying foes Scarborough Pirates to come this Saturday.

There will be two games after that and the Lokos, while needing a maximum return, could also do with help from elsewhere to finish in the top two play-off places.

They ran league leaders Cutsyke close despite Jason Harper’s red card for alleged dissent midway through the first half, when he apparently spoke out against foul play by the visitors.

Harper had been a standout player until that point, and the Lokos continued to battle on, despite more questionable refereeing, with a hat-trick from prop star Jim Mulroney, and a try, plus conversion, by young Luke Watling keeping them in front for much of the game despite the man disadvantage.

Cutsyke hit back to go ahead and, although Watling levelled with a penalty, the late one-pointer decided the game, which boiled over at the end with a mass brawl that saw Mulroney and an opponent sin-binned and three Cutsyke substitutes red-carded after running on to get involved.

Boss Paul McDermott was proud of the Lokos’ efforts, despite the result.

“It was a very good performance,” he said. “We were disciplined with the ball and aggressive and tight in defence.

“Frustration crept into the Cutsyke side, who started to lose their structure. We, on the other hand, looked assured and soon took control and built up a commanding lead, but unfortunately a bit of ill-discipline with the tongue resulted in a sending-off.

“The second half saw little mistakes creep in. We defended heroically and kept our shape but exhaustion took its toll. Cutsyke upped their game and though the spirit was willing the flesh couldn’t keep up.

“Everybody can be proud of the skill level and effort produced. It’s do or die now in the last three games and we are depending on other teams doing us some favours.”

Meanwhile, McDermott has praised Jon Hough after the veteran amateur retired from playing.

Former York Acorn player Hough was one of the original Lokos team when the groundbreaking summer club formed in 2008. He is set to stay in the back room team.

McDermott said: “Apart from his tremendous skill and courage on the field, Jon has had an enormous amount of influence off the field too. He is able to put his point of view across to players and coaches, and his opinion was one I always sought.”