York show required response to get better of Halifax

York City Knights, with inspirational Captain Chris Thorman returning from a broken thumb, clawed their way towards safety at the foot of the Championship and turned up the heat on fellow strugglers Hunslet with two points now separating the sides.

A tense first 40 minutes saw York responding well to coach Dave Woods’s demand for a greater show of desire after recent heavy defeats and captain Alex Benson drew first blood.

Receiving the ball 10m from the line, his angled run confused the defence as he touched down with players on his back and video referee Ian Smith awarded the try.