York Knights fell to an agonising 18-14 defeat to second-placed Toulouse Olympique at the LNER Community Stadium.
York trailed 12-4 at half-time after Guy Armitage and Greg Richards tries with Jason Bass managing the Knights’ only response in the first 40 minutes.
Bass struck again shortly after half-time before Brenden Santi’s score put the home side in front with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Anthony Marion crossed with just eight minutes to go to reassert a lead that Toulouse would not relinquish, ending York’s four-match winning streak in the Betfred Championship.
Toulouse made the stronger start and after dominating the early territory, they moved in front on 16 minutes when Armitage proved too strong in the left corner.
Jake Shorrocks added the first of three conversions from as many attempts.
York hit back on the half hour however when Bass profited from a stunning bullet cut-out pass by Joe Brown to dive in at the right corner.
Toulouse ensured an eight-point lead at the break though when Richards hit Eloi Pelissier’s short pass close to the line.
The Knights were soon back in the contest early in the second period, Bass scoring again down the right, this time capitalising on a Liam Harris kick to the corner.
10 minutes later, Harris raced through a gap after a Toulouse defender shot out of the line before releasing Santi to score from 20m out.
Harris added the two to put York 14-12 ahead with less than 10 minutes left.
However Toulouse finished as the stronger side and when a quick left-flank shift play put Benjamin Laguerre in the clear, he kicked inside for Marion to touch down, wrapping up the two points.
York: Brown, Towse, Pratt, Dee, Bass, Hingano, Harris, Michael, Jubb, Fitzsimmons, Field, Kirmond, Thompson
Subs (all used): Teanby, Ta’ai, Santi, Warren.
Tries: Bass (31’, 47’), Santi (57’)
Goals: Harris (1/3)
Toulouse: Santo, Marcon, Jussaume, Armitage, Laguerre, Marion, Shorrocks, Bretherton, Gahan, Biscarro, Peyroux, Stefani, Hansen
Subs (all used): Pelissier, Akauola, Silva, Richards
Tries: Armitage (16’), Richards (36’), Marion (72’)
Goals: Shorrocks (3/3)
Geoff Pryce Player of the Match in partnership with Isaac Poad Brewing: Jason Bass
Referee: Ben Thaler
