Barrow Raiders 16 York City Knights 24

There was no questioning Barrow Raiders’ spirit or commitment to the cause, but the fact remains they’re almost needing miracles in their fight against relegation now after this defeat against York City Knights.

The sight of players sat on the ground or crouched down on the final whistle left you in no doubt that you’ll get long odds on the Raiders still being in the Betfred Championship next year.

They’ll need lifting this week, even after putting in what was actually a really good showing against the team second in the table at Craven Park.

They made most of the running in the second half, with a combination of some bad breaks and bad decision-making preventing them from threatening a dramatic turnaround.

Ultimately, though, the real difference was an exceptional performance from York full back Matty Marsh, who scored a first-half hat-trick and was a constant menace with the ball.

Barrow got off to the worst possible start, as York opened the scoring with less than four minutes gone when William Oakes slipped through some flimsy tackling before timing his pass to send Marsh in under the posts.

The Raiders responded well, however, and hit back when Ben White chipped the ball towards the left wing, where Tee Ritson got there ahead of the Knights’ Liam Harris to dot it down, although Ryan Johnston’s missed conversion meant his side still trailed 6-4.

A sloppy Barrow knock-on in their own half then led to a scrum being quickly worked left, which allowed Marsh to pick through a gap and score his second try, which Corey Robinson converted.

Following the handling error came the penalty – that other bane of Barrow’s existence this year – which eventually led to Oakes taking the ball in space before putting Marsh over for his hat-trick in the 32nd minute.

The hosts had a mountain climb in the second half from 18-4 down, but not for the first time in recent weeks, they had a try ruled out but this time they couldn’t really complain, as Jono Smith’s long pass to the left for Ritson did travel forward.

Another chance then went begging as Liam Paisley couldn’t take Luke Cresswell’s pass with Deon Cross overlapping to his right.

Further proof that this just wasn’t the Raiders’ day came when another score was disallowed for a forward pass, this time for Cross’ inventive off-load for Paisley.

Inevitably, York had their fourth try a minute later, with only a fantastic tackle from Ritson preventing Marsh from scoring it himself, but with the defence scattered, Jason Bass crashed over.

Barrow did finally pull a try back when Jake Carter moved the ball on to Cresswell, who evaded the tacklers to score down the left, with Johnston adding the goal.

The hosts continued what was a spirited showing when Smith powered over after Tom Walker had been stopped just short and Carter’s gap reduced the gap to eight points, but the comeback was just too late.

Barrow Raiders: Cresswell, Cross, Hulme, Stack, Ritson, White, Johnston, Walker, Puara, Susino, Smith, Paisley, Walne.

Interchange: J Carter, Duffy, Aspinwall, Séguier.

Tries: Ritson 13, Cresswell 60, Smith 72

Goals: Johnston, J Carter

York City Knights: Marsh, Bass, Hey, Scott, Oakes, Harris, Robinson, Teanby, Jubb, Blagbrough, Kelly, Salter, Spears.

Interchange: Brining, Baldwinson, Dixon, Stock.

Tries: Marsh 4, 24, 32, Bass 57

Goals: Robinson (4)

Referee: Jack Smith

Attendance: 1,169

Raiders star man: Luke Cresswell