With both clubs battling for survival in the National Conference, this game was always going to be a thriller. York Acorn's 40-24 victory lifts them within four points of safety and keeps the pressure on opponents Lock Lane who are still the club to catch.

Acorn started the brighter and a deep kick from stand-off Antony Chilton saw winger Joel Johnson run on to the ball and shrug off a tackle to score. Chilton added the extras from the touch line.

Acorn dominated the early exchanges and Jack Stewart, starting at hooker for the first time, scooted in from dummy half.

Lock Lane's first opportunity came from an Acorn mistake after 15 minutes which ended with scrum half Nathan Fozzard being held up over the line.

A minute later, another mistake from Acorn returned possession to Lock Lane on the 20 metre line. From the scrum, Lane passed out wide for winger Liam Beckett to score in the corner.

Acorn regained the initiative, four minutes later, when a fifth tackle kick from Chilton bounced back, Ryan Gallacher re-kicked, and Matthew Chilton was first in the race to gather.

A quick 'play the ball' gave Jordan Myers the opportunity to dive in from dummy half.

Acorn increased their advantage, on 24 minutes, when prop Tim Stubbs crashed over.

Lock Lane rallied and their pressure resulted in errors from Acorn. When Lock Lane were awarded a penalty, a towering 50 metre kick gave possession to Lane 20 metres out from where Fozzard weaved in and out of the Acorn defence before producing a superbly timed off load to prop Rob Firth to score.

The final play of the half saw a great break from centre Brandon Harris. Acorn's enthusiasm returned after being under the cosh.

Harris off loaded to Gallacher who side-stepped the defence to score under the posts. With another conversion from Chilton, the half time score was 28-10.

Lock Lane started the second half as Acorn had started the first. Acorn gave away more penalties from which Lane capitalised. Centre Ethan Flower made a great break down the centre, off-loading to the supporting Fozzard to score.

Three minutes later, Lock Lane scored again thanks to great ball work and good hands with the final pass from Firth finding winger Joe Wilcock who flew through the air, touching down whilst still in full flight.

Lane were now dominant and moved within four points following great skill from Craig Duncan; kicking over the top of the defence, re-gathering, and scoring.

The purple patch for Lane began to fade as Acorn fought back with constructive possession for the first time in the half. Johnson released the ball to Stubbs who wasn’t going to be stopped.

Acorn now began to apply pressure on the Lane defence and Gallacher scored his second try of the afternoon.

From the kick off, Lock Lane prop Firth raced on to the ball like a steam train and charged for the line. However, he was held up and gave possession back to Acorn when attempting to off load.

With three minutes left a neat kick over from a scrum saw the ball trickle towards the Lock Lane try line - Johnson falling on it inches short before Lock Lane could snatch another score.

Man of the match went to Tim Stubbs for Acorn and fellow prop Craig Jones for Lock Lane both leading by example in the forwards.