YORK Acorn leapfrogged National Conference division two promotion rivals Stanningley after a late Lee Franks try toppled the hosts in the dying minutes of a close 20-22 encounter.

Winger Jonny Waldron opened the scoring with his first try of the day on three minutes and star man scrum-half Andy Gargan converted to create an early 6-0 lead.

But Stanningley were quick to retaliate and manufactured a 16-6 advantage with tries from Michael Banks, Stuart McGill and Chris Rouse - two run in before half time - with McGill adding two goals.

However, a second try for Waldron plus one from hooker Michael Fitzsimmons closed the gap for the indomitable Acorn.

Stanningley scrum half Paul Murray threw one last try at the York side in a last-ditch attempt to salvage his side's proud unbeaten home record but Franks crossed the whitewash with nine minutes left on the clock to level the scores.

Fitzsimmons' cool conversion was enough to wrap up the scoring and snatch victory.

Some stirling defence from the visitors in the dying stages kept out Stanningley's late charges and proved more than enough to propel Acorn up the table to fifth with their fourth win of the season so far.

Updated: 10:58 Monday, October 18, 2004