CARL FORSTER has stressed he had the respect of “a lot of the players” as North Wales Crusaders bring the curtain down on a difficult season.

Crusaders have just one more match remaining during the regular League 1 campaign and head coach Forster says that leading by example has gained him respect from the players.

Asked if he had lost the dressing room, Forster told CruCast: “I don’t believe I have.

“I know I’ve got respect off a lot of the players, if not all, because I’m at the side of them.

“I’m doing what I’m telling them to do.”

Forster added: “I think we’ve got quite a split, maybe one-or-two that are not singing on the same hymn sheet, but that’s what happens when you inherit a team.

“You’ve got to work with what you’ve got and it takes time to put things in place.

“Let’s look back, you know, previous coach’s first season.

“They’re not always pretty, so let’s put a bit of context into it and there’s got to be times, there’s got to be a rebuilding process.

“It’s going to take time.”

It was a must win game yesterday as the Crusaders returned to Chester for their meeting with Doncaster - and Forster’s side returned to form with a 28-22 success.

The visitors grabbed the first try of the afternoon on three minutes as Josh Guzdek set up Jack Sanderson for an unconverted score in the corner.

However, Crusaders hit back within three minutes.

Pat Rainford latched on to a kick through the visitors’ defence for a try that was converted by Leon Hayes.

Cru stretched their advantage on 25 minutes with Chris Barratt going over next to the sticks, leaving a simple two-pointer for Hayes.

Try number three came just three minutes later.

Ryan Ellis touched down and Hayes again converted as Cru went into the break leading 18-4.

Doncaster cut the deficit seven minutes into the second half with Connor Robinson’s converted score, but determined Cru responded with a penalty from Hayes.

What an afternoon it was for Hayes, who went the length of the field for the home side’s fourth try and he added the extras.

The visitors hauled themselves back to within 10 points as Misi Taulapapa touched down, with Robinson converting.

Cru went further ahead via Hayes’ 72nd minute penalty, but Doncaster were back to just a score adrift on 77 minutes with Ben Johnston’s try, which Robinson converted.

Other results: Cornwall 4 Oldham 56; Dewsbury Rams 38 Workington Town 8; Rochdale Hornets 22 Hunslet 35.