PAUL March has a simple solution to Cougars’ dismal Challenge Cup defeat – We must work harder.

March’s men were dumped out of the famous old competition after a 20-12 reverse at League 1 rivals York on Sunday.

It was Keighley’s second successive loss following a 44-28 home defeat to Doncaster seven days previously.

York led 20-0 at half-time and March said: “Defensively, everyone could see we weren’t up to standard in the first 40 minutes.

“We talked about individual stuff at half-time and that if we sorted that out and defended collectively, then we would be a lot stronger force.

“We certainly did that in the second half but people are all going to be talking about that first 40 and how we started the game.

“We made some changes with Scott Law and Ash Lindsay on the bench and Aaron Ollett and Matthew Bailey starting the game.

“I thought they deserved to start after the Doncaster defeat because Aaron and Matty came out of that game with some praise even though we were below par as a team.

“But individually we just all need to work harder. The lads are disappointed and certain individuals need to pick themselves up and work even harder.”

March refused to name names as Cougars prepare for the Good Friday trip to Hunslet.

But he added: “They know who they are and they are working hard to do that, so we’ll just keep battling on.

“We’ve got more important things to focus on and that’s the league and getting things right there.

“Defensively, I think we took a step in that direction in the second half at York.

“If we can continue doing that then I think we will be a lot better side for it.

“We had two goals at the start of the season – one to reach the iPro Sport cup final and we’re still in that. The other goal was to win promotion and we'll be doing everything we can to achieve that.”