WHEN Mick Cook took York City Knights to the National League Two title in 2005, they lost only three games all season.
After yesterday's 30-10 defeat at Barrow, they have now lost three out of their opening four fixtures this term.
The teams that finished second and third in 2005 lost only four times and, although this season is four games longer, the Knights' win-loss ratio needs to dramatically improve for them to just make the play-offs.
They can be aggrieved at yet more dodgy refereeing for the continuation of their losing form.
Wigan official Peter Taberner seemed to be doing well but then ludicrous decisions either side of half-time gave Barrow command of an otherwise good, even game.
Two tries on the back of those decisions proved the key difference between the sides but, other than the standard of refereeing, of great concern, still, for Cook is his side's inability to break down defences.
Possession and territory yesterday were even, and there were no question marks over the effort, but the Knights need to find something new to unlock defences like they used to do regularly at this level.
That may become even more acute after stand-off Scott Rhodes limped off late on and full-back George Rayner also suffered a groin problem. Dave Buckley and John Smith also joined the lengthening injury list.
A lack of a consistent goal-kicker is also needed, as highlighted at the beginning and end yesterday when Jamaine Wray, whose success ratio has dropped dramatically, missed an easy penalty and an easy conversion.
Like last week, when goals proved the difference in the cup tie between the sides, Raiders scrum-half Darren Holt had no such trouble adding the two-pointers, and gave the hosts a seventh-minute lead.
Barrow then fluffed a great chance before Wray made up for a couple of early errors by scoring and converting a fine 25-metre try after an initial burst by Adam Sullivan.
There should have been a second try when Rhodes broke through but he kept a hold rather than pass to Buckley. Instead, Barrow built pressure and scored through Liam Harrison.
The Raiders stayed on top with help from Taberner as Jim Elston was harshly sin-binned after a home player - to paraphrase Barrow coach Paul Crarey - "fell over" at the play-the-ball. Taberner than bizarrely penalised York when they tackled a man into touch, but the Knights still finished the half strongly, with Chris Spurr going close.
Spurr was on the wing as Tom Dunmore had work commitments. Ian Brown went to centre with Mark Spurr coming into the back row. Fellow fringe player Steve Grundy replaced Nathan Priestley on the bench after impressing for the under-21s, and continued that good form. Up front, Toby Williams replaced want-away Joe Helme but struggled to make an impact, and Buckley was also used as a front-row replacement.
Barrow made changes, too, including the return from injury of dangerous full-back Khamal Ganley and Aussie second-row Dave Armistead.
Two other alterations gave York a pre-match fillip as big signings Michael Smith and Pat Weisner broke down on the motorway and apparently were made to stay with their vehicle by police until breakdown cover came. When it did, it was too late for them to arrive on time.
In the end it didn't matter as another controversial decision by Taberner saw Barrow take command on the restart.
A home player blatantly interfered at the play-the-ball but Taberner reckoned Buckley lost control and, from the scrum, James Nixon made use of the extra space out wide to sprint home, Holt goaling.
Fellow winger Nick Beach then collected a chip on his own line and sprinted 100 yards to make it 18-6.
The Knights thereafter huffed and puffed but, as has been the case all season, struggled to break down a well-structured defence.
And, after Holt made great use of a penalty to touch, rotund Ian Rawlinson bounced between the posts to take a bonus point away from York, and if that didn't kill the game, Liam Finch's try did, with a solo effort by Chris Spurr being merely a late consolation.
Match facts
Co-operative National League Two Sunday, April 29, 2007 at Craven Park
Knights: Rayner 6, C Spurr 6, Potter 6, Brown 6, Mapals 6, Rhodes 6, Elston 7, Cakacaka 7, Wray 6, Sullivan 7, J Smith 6, Esders 6. M Spurr 6.
Subs (all used): Liddell 6, Grundy 7, Williams 6, Buckley 6.
Tries: Wray 23, C Spurr 78.
Conversions: Wray 23
Penalties: None.
Drop goals: None.
Sin-binned: Elston 35.
Sent off: None.
Barrow: Ganley, Beach, J Finch, Harrison, Nixon, Basan, Holt, Raftery, Ellis, Dutton, Armistead, Wilcock, Atkinson.
Subs (all used): Marshall, Irabor, L Finch, Rawlinson.
Tries: Harrison 30, Nixon 42, Beach 46, Rawlinson 66, L Finch 71.
Conversions: Holt 42, 46, 66, 71.
Penalty: Holt 7.
Drop goals: None.
Sin-binned: None.
Sent off: None.
Man of the match: Adam Sullivan - The prop put in another good, long stint, with some big defensive hits and generally good work with all in hand.
Referee: Peter Taberner (Wigan).
Rating: Ludicrous decisions either side of half-time, plus failure to spot reefing shaped the game.
Penalty count: 8-8.
HT: 6-6.
Gamebreaker: Barrow's two tries early in the second half, after Jim Elston had been sin-binned, gave the Raiders the all-important initiative.
Moment of the match: Jermaine Wray's try which put York ahead in an even opening period.
Attendance: 1,404.
Weather: Sunny.
Match rating: It was a decent game between well-matched teams although Barrow's finishing prowess was the key difference.
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