The full-back was forced off inside the opening quarter and Trinity failed to recover from the reshuffle to their spine, with stand-in Romain Franco guilty of two costly errors.

Applegarth hinted at foul play as he rued the loss of an important player.

"I don't want to say something in the heat of the moment that I'll regret," said Applegarth, who is optimistic about having Max Jowitt back from injury when Catalans Dragons visit next Friday.

"It's looking like he's got a suspected broken collarbone, which has come from a collision that didn't get seen.

"If that's a broken collarbone – and we're hoping we get some good news – that'll be him for the year."

The result leaves Wakefield two points adrift of Castleford Tigers with three rounds remaining but they end the weekend just six behind their relegation rivals on for and against after Danny Ward's men suffered a 66-12 defeat at Warrington Wolves.

Applegarth has stressed that Castleford remain in the box seat.

"I'd still rather be in their shoes two points in front," he said.

"I don't really look at what we can't control. I know it sounds really cliche and boring but I can't influence that in any way, shape or form.

"We're just focusing on grinding out what we can. There are six points to play for and two points at a time."