A 79th-MINUTE Craig Ashall drop goal consigned York Acorn, who had led 24-14 with just over 10 minutes left, to a heart-breaking 25-24 defeat in Kingstone Press National Conference League Division One.

The visitors were left to rue several gilt-edged chances that could have sealed a memorable win that their performance for 70 minutes deserved.

Their chances were also hindered by a late Leigh MR try that was allowed, despite the ball being knocked forward.

Acorn in fairness were also hampered by several injuries that hurt them in the later stages of a fantastic game that was played in hot conditions.

The most potentially damaging was the knee injury sustained by impressive centre Matt Downes, who was tackled as he caught a high ball with his feet clear of the ground.

Although it was an accident, Acorn did get the penalty but lost a commanding presence in Downes and it remains to be seen how long he will be sidelined for, with the player being taken to hospital by ambulance.

Acorn knew that this was going to be a tough encounter against a side who have now stretched their unbeaten run to eight games as they try to get back into the top tier at the first attempt.

The visitors started strongly, and after 10 minutes a up and under close to the hosts' try line was missed by the defenders and Acorn second-rower Luke Swales was on hand to score a try which Antony Chilton converted.

Leigh MR struck back five minutes later when their decision to run the ball on the fifth tackle brought a try for their impressive centre Deacon Monks, which Jack Reynolds converted to tie the scores at 6-6.

An error from the kick-off put Acorn under more pressure, and in the 18th minute Monk crossed for his second try to make it 10-6.

On the half-hour, a magical one-on-one steal by Acorn centre Jordan Potter enabled him to spin away from his defender and race 30 metres unopposed to score a try which Antony Chilton goaled to give Acorn a 12-10 lead by half-time.

Early in the second half, Acorn were hit by the injury to Downes, and this allowed the hosts to get on top and, despite 10 minutes of heroic goal-line defence, the visitors were eventually breached by their hosts as centre Reynolds crashed over from close range for an unconverted try.

Acorn should have regained the lead when they created an excellent two-on-one but the chance went begging as the potential try-scoring pass failed to find its intended recipient.

Another high kick brought Acorn more joy on the hour, however, when Antony Chilton's bomb was allowed to bounce and, several bounces later, his brother Matthew collected the ball to score a try which his brother Antony converted to put Acorn 18-14 in front.

The visitors then seemed to have secured a healthy match-winning lead when loose forward Lewis Lord went over from close range on 66 minutes that was goaled by Anthony Chilton to give the Acornites a 24-14 advantage heading into the closing stages.

Unfortunately, the fates weren't on their side and, despite producing one of their best away performances of the season, with excellent displays from hard-working wingers Callum Worthington and impressive debutant Ben Kingoro Tengo, man of the match and captain Tom Hill, loose forward Lord and Potter, Acorn were ultimately undone by several errors in their own 20 in those final 10 minutes.

On 70 minutes, substitute forward Martin Grey powered over from close range for an unconverted try, and four minutes later second-rower Joe Connor punched a hole through the overstretched Acorn defence to score a try that was goaled by scrum half Ashall to tie the scores at 24-24.

Then Ashall deprived Acorn, who may yet push for the play-offs, of a deserved share of the spoils with the killer drop goal.