York City Knights assistant coach James Ratcliffe described Sunday's performance at Rochdale Hornets as "woeful" after their 44-10 defeat.

Rochdale had lost their last five National League Two games.

Ratcliffe told BBC Radio York: "We were outplayed. The only thing we've won here is the penalty count.

"We've come up against a team that just out-enthused us, was quicker to everything than us and basically wanted the game more than us."

Rochdale sacked coach Bobbie Goulding last week and the game against York was the first in charge for new boss Darren Shaw.

Ratcliffe added: "Obviously what's happened at Rochdale is nothing to do with what we're in charge of.

Without making any excuses we're struggling without a recognised half back. Paul March's getting over-worked a little bit James Ratcliffe

"We're in charge of our own application and we spoke about Bobbie leaving during the week and Darren coming in and we knew that Rochdale would be up for a big game.

"Obviously they've come up with the goods but we've come up well short of the expectations of how we prepare this week as well.

"Defensively we were absolutely woeful - our first contact, the decision making in our defence on our edges. Again in the middle of the park, we got beaten physically."

Ratcliffe hinted they could move to strengthen the squad.

"Without making any excuses we're struggling without a recognised half back. [Player-coach] Paul March's getting over-worked a little bit.

"He ended up working both ends of the field today in attack and we need to find a half-back."