YORK City Knights boss Dave Woods remained confident his side could finish the regular Championship One campaign in third place – despite seeing them drop to fourth.

The Knights lost 33-18 at home to second-placed Oldham and their failure to pick up a bonus point for finishing within 12 points allowed Rochdale to go above them, on points-difference, after beating Swinton.

The Knights now have only one game to go in the race for third place – and the advantageous path in the play-offs that comes with it – and that is away to fellow contenders South Wales next Sunday.

Rochdale have two games, against champions-elect Hunslet and former title contenders Blackpool – who could also now leapfrog the Knights with their game in hand.

“We wanted that bonus point really,” admitted Woods. “But we didn’t get it and we can’t dwell on it. We have to take three points next week.

“Rochdale have got two tough ones. I think we can still finish third but obviously we have to beat South Wales first.”

Yesterday’s game was close at 18-14 to Oldham on the hour mark, before the Roughyeds scored two tries on the counter attack, moments after Luke Hardbottle had a try ruled out at the other end.

Even aside from that disallowed effort, Woods was not happy with the standard of refereeing from Hull official Peter Brooke, and he felt a decision to penalise Jordan Ross for reefing, just before their crucial second-half try spree, was a key moment in the game.

“I’ve criticised the same referee before,” said Woods. “He coaches other referees and if that’s our standard we’re going to be in all sorts of trouble.