York City Knights 30 Toulouse Olympique 28: York cling on for win as Ader adds late try

Victory ensured York will be in today’s Challenge Cup fifth round draw with the probability of facing Super League opposition in the next round.

Both sides were guilty of surrendering possession far too easily during early play but a fine grubber kick from Simon Brown with Jack Lee pouncing gave the Knights an early lead against their French opponents.

Toulouse gained in confidence as prop Eloni Vunakece finished off good pressure with a fine try as Kheirallah pegged back York and levelled the scores.

Two further touch-downs as Kheirallah stripped the ball from Jack Latus to sprint over and Vunakece again with an excellent drive gave the French side a 12-point lead before the hosts rallied.

Tom Carr narrowed the deficit shortly before the break with a determined try from acting half after Latus was halted inches from the Toulouse line and the introduction of Kriss Brining quickly paid dividends.

The hooker added an extra dimension with his speed of thought around the ruck area as he jinked and weaved to score a fine individual try.

With the scores again level Carr’s astute kick saw Nat Browne score for the Yorkshire club before repeating the move for Brining to add his second try.

Toulouse hit back with Tony Maurel finishing Luke Fahey’s quality offload although a Carr penalty looked to have settled the Knight’s nerves.

But in the final minute Ader narrowed the deficit to just two points soaring high to collect Kheirallah’s pinpoint kick only for the conversion to narrowly drift wide.

Today’s will take place live on BBC Radio 5 Live today around 3.30pm. The fifth round ties will be played over the weekend of May 11 and 12.

York City Knights: Carr, Browne, Ford, Latus, Dent, Brown, Presley, Potter, Lee, Bell, Lyons, Smith, Pickles. Substitutes: Brining, Sullivan, Iley, Freer.

Toulouse Olympique: Maurel, Innes, Didone, Quitilla, Ader, Ford, Kheirallah, Vunakece, Fahy, Barthau, Moliner, Williams, Masselot. Substitutes: Kriouache, Couturier, Gonzalez, Gout

Referee: D Merrick (Castleford).