YORK ACORN lost 34-22 to promotion-chasing Normanton Knights at Thanet Road in National Conference League division one.

The visitors opened the scoring after only four minutes. The Blue and Golds made an error with the ball after the final tackle and, from the repeat set, scrum-half Adrian Mulchay found a way through to score and convert.

Head coach Scott Rhodes men, though, responded well and attacked with flair.

On 12 minutes, hooker Lewis Lord ran from dummy half and off-loaded to full-back Jake Calam. He made a good break and Lord followed up for the reverse pass to score, Ryan Gallacher converting.

Lord was again the scorer when Acorn applied sustained pressure on Normanton's line and he scooted in from dummy half.

Normanton then brought on man of the match Clarke Thompson, whose imposing size was matched by his strength and he scored two tries for the visitors from close in.

But, as half-time approached, Acorn regained the advantage - Lord again involved in a nice off-load to the advancing Jordan Potter. With the kick from the touchline successful, the home side led 18-16 at the break.

The second half continued the arm wrestle between the two teams and the second period was ten minutes old before Normanton broke the deadlock as Ryan Kelsey found the gap after working the ball almost the full length of the field.

Winger Joe Crossland then extended Normanton's advantage to eight points.

Acorn showed plenty of resilience and only great defence kept them from adding to their tally.

Joe Porter came close on three occasions to scoring as did veteran Tom Hill.

Steve Mackley finally squeezed in at the corner to take Acorn within one score but, as the clock ticked down, Kelsey sealed the victory, Mulchay converting.

Lord was given the Blue and Golds' man of the match award.