Ilkley coach Rhys Morgan was frustrated that a good performance at Heath was wrecked by a “mad ten-minute spell.”
During that time Ilkley had key forwards Ollie Renton and Iain Mckenzie sin-binned in quick succession and then conceded a penalty try while down to 13 men.
Even a spirited final flourish could not spare them from a 27-21 defeat which leaves them still looking for their first Yorkshire Division One win of 2013.
“Those ten minutes really cost us,” said Morgan. “I have watched the game back on the tape and I find it hard to see why the referee penalised us so harshly.
“It was the turning point in the game and while Ollie and Iain were in the sin-bin Heath built a match-winning lead.”
Ilkley have had high penalty counts against them in many matches this season and one area that Morgan wants to cut out is talking back to referees.
“That is unhelpful and it is best to leave the referee to get on with his job and concentrate on our own game.”
If the weather allows, Ilkley will be at home to Scarborough on Saturday and will have JH Johnson back, but his fellow centre Craig Barker is still injured.
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