Whitehaven coach Ged Stokes believes his young players will benefit from the experience of Wednesday's 36-6 Northern Rail Cup defeat by York City Knights.

Stokes fielded a youthful side for the trip but saw his side outfought and overpowered by the hosts to dent their hopes of progress in the competition.

"It was a valuable lesson for our players," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"York did exploit our less experienced side, we made a few positional changes and our error rate was very poor."

He added: "It's one that we have to put behind us very quickly because we have the build up for Workington on Sunday."

The Marras began their campaign with a convincing win against Batley Bulldogs but defeat against York was a disappointment for a side that reached the National One play-offs last season.

And Stokes admitted his side got what they deserved for an unconvincing display at the Huntington Stadium.

"Realistically you've got to say York played us off the park, and they did," he said.

"They have to be congratulated and have the accolades for that.

"It's not how badly we played, it's how well they played that this game should be remembered by."

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