IT'S win or bust for York Acorn and their promotion hopes in the National Conference League division two.

With just five games left fourth-placed Acorn need to win all their remaining fixtures to keep their dreams alive.

However, three of those upcoming games pit them against teams occupying the places above them in the table, including Saturday's visit of table-toppers and champions-elect Hunslet Warriors.

Hunslet are the form team in the division having lost just once this season and will arrive at Acorn bolstered by major pedigree.

The Warriors are coached by Richard Pell, ex-Hunslet Hawks and Doncaster Dragons, and have ex-Doncaster prop Tony Miller, former Leeds and Bramley stand-off Dean Creaser and Wakefield and Gateshead second-rower Paul Sebine in their ranks.

"We are under no illusions about the size of the task we are facing," said Acorn spokesman Paul Lumby.

"It is going to be very difficult for us to claim a top two finish but we have not given up hope and we will give it our best shot."

Acorn's game at Millom last week was postponed but Lumby said the York side would take confidence from their prior outing, a 32-20 win at Collingham Tigers.

"We can draw on that. It was an improvement on our erratic form of late and we need to now put our best foot forward and press ahead," said Lumby.

He said the form of teenage scrum-half Johnny Waldron also offered cause for Acorn optimism.

"He's been a prolific try scorer this season because of his pace, form and growing maturity," added Lumby.

Although the squad has still to be announced, the postponement of the clash with Millom means Acorn have been able to give players suffering niggling injuries more time to recover.

While Acorn take on the top, neighbours Heworth head to the bottom to face win-less Keighley Albion.

With promotion sidelined for this year, Heworth are already looking towards next season and are keen to finish the campaign with a flourish.

Albion, firmly rooted to the bottom, have endured a torrid season, losing all 18 games as they struggle to cope with Conference life.

Heworth are unlikely to show any remorse, although team spokesman Ken Sykes believes a win will not be as cut and dried as it might look.

"Their record in the league doesn't look that good, but they have had a lot of close games," he said. "It won't be easy, but you would expect us to win.

"They haven't won a game as of yet, but I'm sure they will before the end of the season, so we have to be careful that it is not us."

Nikki Wilson will miss the tie with a back problem, but prop Simon Harrison should come back into the reckoning if he can shake off his own back injury.

Selby Warriors will look to catch their CMS Yorkshire League division three opponents Upton cold on Saturday.

Upton have only managed nine fixtures this season, but with 13 points they are hot on the heels of the Warriors, who have picked up 14 points from their 16 games.

Players are to meet at 1pm for a 2.30pm kick-off

With their home ground out of action, York Groves will face Pennine League division four outfit leaders Elland 'A' at their Oakland Sport Centre training pitch.

Groves will have to be on top form if they are to topple the Halifax-based side which has only lost once in the league this season.

Terriers' coach Simon Moat is full of confidence ahead of the clash as his side have shown more bite in their performances of late.

Groves had been due to take on New Earswick All Blacks in the semi-final of the Accident Cup. However, a waterlogged pitch has forced this game to be rearranged for Saturday, March 16.

This means the All Blacks now have a free weekend.

Meanwhile, York Acorn 'A' are away at Heworth 'A' in an Accident Cup semi-final, kick-off 2.30pm.

Updated: 11:48 Thursday, February 28, 2002