PAUL Crarey was pleased with Barrow Raiders' players' response to a forthright half-time team talk, but was still left frustrated after a 32-16 at home to York City Knights in the Coral Challenge Cup fourth round.

The Raiders rallied from being 20-6 down to draw within four points, only for the match to slip away from them.

Head coach Crarey felt rue small margins again went against Barrow, although was encouraged by how they fought back.

"At half time, I spoke to the players and said 'if that's what you think of me, I'm wasting my time with you' – and the reaction in the second half was outstanding," said Crarey.

"But we were in total control of the game, we were camped on their goal-line, it was the third set and instead of putting a pressure kick in on the floor, we kicked it out on the full and they scored off that set, which was a massive sucker-punch for us.

"It was frustrating across the board because from being in control in the second half and fighting our way back in, we've managed to give the game away. It's small margins and we're not getting over the line with them."

The Raiders, already without 11 front-line players, had Danny Morrow and Brett Carter suffer injuries too, while Dan Toal is facing a ban after being sent off for his part in a melee late on.

A tough trip to Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Championship looms large too and Crarey hopes the team can take some positives into that.

"A fan walked up to me and said the spirit in the second half was outstanding, so some will be happy and some won't," said Crarey.

"We haven't given up the ghost, but we just need a little bit of luck, stick to processes and try to grind out the win we desperately need as a group – but it will be tough in the next few weeks."