YORK Acorn slipped on the Illingworth banana skin to fall at the third hurdle of the GMB Union National Cup.

The Halifax side, from the Pennine League premier division, won 30-22 as Acorn just didn't get the basics right and therefore fell onto the back foot. Illingworth, on the other hand, stuck to an albeit basic game-plan well enough to win the game.

A grave concern in recent weeks for Acorn is poor starts and once again they began badly to concede two tries in the opening 20 minutes which had their hosts buzzing.

They hit back on 28 minutes as winger Jon Waldron picked up an Illingworth kick on the last tackle to race 70 yards for a much-needed try which Kev Brundrett goaled.

With props Adam Endersby and Mick Hagan taking the ball up strongly, Acorn suddenly put their game together and within five minutes were level at 12-12 when stand-off Danny Liddell cut through to score with Brundrett goaling.

It was important that Acorn then consolidated, but they allowed the hosts to break through out wide and take a 16-12 half-time lead.

Acorn needed to start the second period well and did so as loose-forward Michael Embleton cut through to equalise.

But then came the game-breaker period when Acorn allowed their hosts to break their defensive line far too easily when notching three tries, one converted.

Whereas Acorn had broken their hosts' line several times only to force the pass or lose their footing under pressure, hosts Illingworth took their chances effectively and with it this cup tie.

With ten minutes left Acorn rallied and after several close calls hooker Fran Starkey forced his way over. Brundrett goaled to leave them eight points adrift and in need of at least two scores but time ran out and Acorn were left to rue several ifs and buts.

Updated: 11:03 Monday, March 08, 2004