While York's fans celebrated the win, Hornets' supporters left this game with a wry smile, knowing that - having seen the Both of the Knights influential March brothers red carded after 75 minutes - it was job well done.

Fiendishly difficult to beat at home, York were never going to allow Hornets to grab the 34 point margin that would've taken the playoff game to Spotland. And - as such - this game was about grabbing the upper hand in whatever way possible.

For 74 minutes this was a pig-ugly game, despite Hornets grabbing an early lead when Ainscough's kick was snaffled by Sneyd who, in turn, fed Leroy Rivett in at the flag.

York took advantage of referee Merrick's somewhat liberal interpretation of the laws to work three quickfire tries: two off the back of penalties and one off a fumble.

But Hornets stuck to their guns, working a cracking base of the scrum move after half an hour: Martin Ainscough scooting away with Paul Rolls on his shoulder to collect and score.

With Dave Cunliffe given ten minutes for a supposed high tackle, York worked two tries wide out to give them a flattering 20-10 half time lead.

Fittingly for a game played in York, the second half was a shambles. With York seeking to niggle at every opportunity, Hornets' patience was severely tested and Dave Best waas sent to join Cunliffe in the sin-bin. York took advantage of the two-man overlap to score.

Despite being holding a comfortable lead, York continued to dredge the shallow end of the sportsmanship pool. Firstly, Dave March took a cowardly dive as Paul Alcock endeavoured to retrieve the ball at a scrum. March was yellow carded for cheating.

Then York's Esders spat the dummy when he was forced into touch on the first tackle: yellow carded for lashing out. Then, the returning March - having released a sixth tackle kick - straight armed Brocklehurst after a failed charge-down attempt. March's response? Take a dive and lie there until the stretcher came on, then - on not receiving the penalty - jump up and continue. Dispicable behaviour, really.

Amid the petty histrionics, Hornets played a bit of decent football: Janan Billings hitting York with a sucker try from acting half; then Chris Giles leaving a flat-footed defence for dead, releasing Brocklehurst from 50 metres for the try of the game.

Clearly affronted that their intimidatory tactics had, thus far, failed, the March Brothers played their 75th minute joker. Awarded a penalty, Dave March proceeded to launch a head-butt in the ensuing mellée. With his brother red-carded, Paul March hurled a volley of abuse at the officials and was sent off seconds behind. From Hornets point of view: job well and truly done.

With York reduced to 11 Hornets worked the ball wide for Jono Muir to grab a late try. Carl Sneyd was agonisingly wide with the kick that would've secured the bonus point.

So, despite the win in what was to all intents and purposes a dead rubber, It's York that have to sweat on the impending disciplinary meeting. But in a final twist to gain whatever advantage they can in the event of the 'Marx' brothers receiving bans, York announced that the playoff game will now be played on a Friday evening.

Underhanded tacics to the last? I guess we'll see in a fortnight whether cheats prosper.