Castleford coach Terry Matterson would have liked to have seen a better quality performance from his side but hailed the way Celtic Crusaders gave their all in the 35-22 success at The Jungle.

Lloyd White and Lincoln Withers (2) crossed for the visitors in Sunday's engage Super League match, while Kirk Dixon, Mitchell Sargent and Michael Wainwright all went over for the hosts - Joe Westerman's poor kicking handing the visitors a half-time lead.

Ryan O'Hara added a converted score just after the break, but Richard Owen got the Tigers back in it before a Michael Shenton double and late Craig Huby score settled the fixture.

The Tigers boss, who will now take his side to the DW Stadium next Sunday to face Wigan, said: "People are saying who would you prefer to play? Obviously we haven't played well today.

"Wakefield have been in outstanding form and Wigan had been until today so it wasn't about that."

Praising the performance turned in by the Welsh club he added: "It was a tough one for us. The opposition made it difficult for us but at the end of the day we won the game and that's gone.

"People were expecting us to win by 40 or 50 but that's difficult. What we have done is come through injury-free. We've got just one or two injuries within the squad at this stage.

"I would have preferred a good performance but as I said there are difficulties in preparing for these games."

The Crusaders have inherited the wooden spoon from the Tigers, who have made remarkable progress in the last 12 months, having already secured a play-off place following their victory at Harlequins last weekend.

"We finished on 15 points last year and 28 this year," he added. "It's a big improvement and everyone at the club should be proud of it.

"What the club need to do consistently is be in the top eight and playing semi-final football is only going to be a good experience for the club."

John Dixon, was took charge of his final game since arriving at Brewery Field in 2006, will now return to Australia and tipped his side to become a powerhouse in rugby league one day.

Of his side's performance he said: "It was another typical performance in terms of effort and our effort has been great all year.

"To be in that contest as long as we were with the young men on the park was very pleasing.

"To see them come out and play and compete with a side who are in the top eight is a big reward for me."