Knights second best at Keighley

York City Knights suffered a 32-18 defeat at Keighley in their first Championship One play-off tie and also suffered several worrying injuries.

The Knights were briefly ahead midway through the first half but Keighley always looked the sharper side.

Knights coach James Ratcliffe told BBC York: "I don't think we've shown up as a group of players today."

York now host Oldham, who beat Hunslet 54-30 in the day's other match, in a play-off at home next Sunday.

With that game in mind, Ratcliffe added: "We've got a great deal of work to do this week.

There's no room in the game for what's happened to Danny. It's an off-the-ball incident where someone's had a cheap shot

James Ratcliffe on an injury to his nephew

"We kept gifting [ground to Keighley] by silly penalties or by not being in charge of the ruck. Keighley showed a great deal more desire than us and thoroughly deserved their victory."

Ratcliffe admitted the loss of "pivotal" half-back Gareth Moore to a leg injury early on was a big loss, but was critical of the officials over some other injuries.

"Danny Ratcliffe is looking [like he has] a broken jaw and a broken nose," Ratcliffe added. "It was definitely an off-the-ball incident.

"It was, amazingly, not seen by three touch judges and the referee.

"There's no room in the game for what's happened to Danny. It's an off-the-ball incident where someone's had a cheap shot.

"I've spoken to the touch judge about another off-the-ball incident where [a player has] led with the elbow after the play-the-ball.

"[It was] straight in front of the touch judge; not seen. Seen by seven people at the side of him but not seen by him.

"I really do have to question what someone has to do before we get some protection for players."

Ratcliffe added that Lee Waterman has a broken wrist, Dave Clayton has concussion, Steve Lewis has a torn hamstring and Loz Wildbore has damaged ankle ligaments.

Despite that list, Ratcliffe believes there are players ready and waiting to take their chance if they come into the side against Oldham.

"We'll hopefully come up with an 80-minute performance which will, hopefully, get us into the final on 4 October," he said.