York City Knights director of rugby James Ratcliffe demanded answers from the Rugby Football League the 13-12 loss to Keighley on Friday.

"(It was) refereed shockingly, it was a terrible advert for rugby league," Ratcliffe told BBC Radio York.

"We're not an ill-disciplined side, but we've been labelled one, I'm just trying to find answers as to why we're being penalised double every week."

Jon Presley's late drop goal earned Keighley a narrow victory.

Ratcliffe added: "It's something I need to take up with area refereeing over at the RFL and say, why are we getting penalised?

We need to be a bit smarter, and play to the game plan, not as individuals James Ratcliffe

"I just want some transparency across the board. Stuart Cummings is now the head man and so we'll be talking to Stuart this week and we'll just find out what we're doing so badly wrong."

Before that though the Knights have a tricky home game to Rochdale Hornets on Bank Holiday Monday.

"We've got to get our heads up," Ratcliffe added, "we're in on Sunday morning... we've got some video work on Rochdale, and it'll be a massive task.

"They've got a very good squad in again, and it showed some guts to actually carry on with what they're doing, the players who stuck there," added Ratcliffe, referring to the nine-point deduction Rochdale suffered for going into administration.

"They've shown a lot of desire to stay at the club and it'll be a tough game for us.

"They're as good a side as they were last year, they've got 95% of their squad back and they'll be a year better for their experience so I think they'll be a big threat.

"We need to be a bit smarter, and play to the game plan, not as individuals."

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