YORK Acorn coach Dave Kay has not ruled out promotion despite seeing his side slump 68-8 away to Wath Brow Hornets.

The hammering was the Blue and Golds' fourth defeat of the season and they now lie mid-table in the National Conference League division two.

However, Kay said Acorn could yet bounce back and claim a top two finish by the end of the campaign.

"Obviously our hopes were not as glossy as they first were but we're not ruling it out," he said.

"We've had five away games so far and only two at home, while many of the top teams have played more home games. Everybody seems to be taking points off each other at home so that might become an advantage for us when the fixtures are reversed."

He added: "We wanted something out of this weekend's game and we now need to get points from our home match against Huddersfield Syngenta next week and our next away game, at Heworth."

There were extenuating circumstances for Acorn on Saturday. Two late call-offs meant they embarked on the long trip to Wath Brow with only 16 players and they then saw three players - Carl Stannard, Dave Norman and Paul Day - leave the game injured in the first ten minutes.

Kay added: "We basically played with 13 men for most of the game and we got tired, especially in the second half.

"We also hit Wath Brow at a bad time as they returned to their full squad for the first time this season.

"We're very disappointed obviously but the circumstances were a big contributing factor."

Cumbrian cup kings Wath Brow were hot favourites for promotion at the start of their first season in the NCL and their only defeat so far has come at the hands of leaders Heworth.

Against Acorn they showed just why they should be rated so highly, crossing for 12 tries while full-back Gavin Curwen kicked ten goals.

The touchdowns were shared by winger Craig Calvert (2), stand-off Carl Rudd (2), substitute Derry Eilbeck (2), Curwen, Ian Rooney, Mark Deans, David Currie, Mickey McAllister and Scott Teare.

Acorn's only points came from a try by Johnny Waldron and a last-minute touchdown from Craig Fox.

Updated: 11:44 Monday, October 14, 2002