MALTON and Norton head coach Richard John ranks his side's display at Pontefract as the best since he rejoined the club.

"In the three years since I've been back, that's the best all-round game we've played. We took the game to a higher level against good opposition. To a man, the team executed everything I asked of them. They are really stepping up the standard and made the second-placed team look average. I gave the players a game-plan and they went away and carried it out."

He added that some of the club's supporters told him afterwards it was the best they'd ever seen Malton and Norton play.

John said the only concern of the game was the fact that his side were only 3-0 up at half-time, despite their domination.

"We had 85pc of the possession in the first half and were only 3-0 up at half-time. I told the lads that no team can defend for 80 minutes and to just stay patient and the space would open up."

The players' trip back was delayed due to a problem with the team bus, but even this hitch had a silver lining. Pontefract video all their home games so it meant the team could watch their match again in the clubhouse.

Now seven points clear of third place, Malton have an ideal opportunity this month to make big strides in their promotion bid. They play Huddersfield YMCA, Goole and Keighley, the teams currently filling the positions immediately outside the two promotion slots. Two of these games are at the Gannock, starting with Huddersfield at home this Saturday (2.15pm).

Updated: 11:05 Wednesday, January 07, 2004