David and Paul March have had a big influence on York this season

York City Knights' 40-26 win over Rochdale proved costly with both of the influential March twins sent off.

Versatile David was shown the red card for an alleged head-butt while player-coach Paul was dismissed for dissent.

Both players could now miss the first round of the National League Two play-offs, also against Rochdale.

Assistant coach James Ratcliffe told BBC Radio York: "It's going to be a little bit harder now possible because we could have some players missing."

Ratcliffe said the club will contest the red cards and also look at the sin-binnings of David March and Ryan Esders in the game.

It was a lot of very frustrating decisions from a referee who I have got a lot of time and respect for. But I think he's come up short today York City Knights assistant coach James Ratcliffe

"It's been said he's actually sworn at the referee. I've just spoken to the match commissioner and I've got it from five or six players that's not happened so obviously we'll be contesting both and we'll be contesting looking at the sin-bins as well.

"For somebody to get 10 minutes for actually shoving another player - it became farcical.

"It was a lot of very frustrating decisions from a referee who I have got a lot of time for and a lot of respect for as a referee. But I think he's come up short today."

As for the Knights' performance Ratcliffe said he and the players were disappointed despite winning.

"The one positive is that we went back in there and defended the last 10 minutes with 11 men.

"We only let one try in in that period and it shows a lot of heart to do that. It's attitude is that and we've shown that right attitude in the back end of the game."