HARROGATE lowered the Pirates' flag for the first time this season as they got their own promotion push back on course in a swashbuckling thriller at Claro Road, winning 31-29 with the last kick of the game.

After giving big-spending Penzance and Newlyn a 15-point start before the first quarter was over through some wayward kicking and sloppy tackling, Harrogate hit back strongly to forge ahead by half-time and then maintain the lead until the 77th minute.

It was then that referee Nic Williams, some of whose decisions had not pleased the Claro Road faithful all afternoon, stamped his mark on the game.

With Penzance opting for a catch and drive lineout from a penalty, he awarded a penalty try and the conversion formality put the Pirates back in front at 27-24.

There seemed little chance of a score when Mr Williams judged Harrogate's pack guilty of pulling down. But it seemed the fates had ruled on a third successive league defeat, which would have put a severe dent in Harrogate's promotion hopes.

But they piled forward from the restart and spent the first five minutes of added time battering at the Penzance line without finding a chink in the defence.

Then skipper Rhys Morgan opted to change the tactics and put in a cross kick. It sailed fully 40 metres towards the right hand touchline and straight into the arms of wing Mark Farrar who scooted in for his third try of the game.

Lee Cholewa kept his nerve from 12 metres inside the touchline to slot the conversion - via a post - and end the Pirates' unbeaten run.

It was no more than Harrogate deserved after their brave fightback following tries for Penzance hooker James Owen and No 8 Ali Durant, with a conversion and penalty by centre Nat Saumi.

Ed Smithies and Farrar, twice, were over for tries - in two of which recalled lock John Dudley had a big say - and Cholewa converted two to make the half-time score 19-15.

No 8 Oliver Cook extended the lead before Owen scored his second to set up a nail-biting finish in which Mr Williams seemed to have had the last word - before Morgan's inspired and delightful kick.

Updated: 11:43 Monday, October 14, 2002