YORK Acorn ARLC turned in a poor performance as they went down 12-8 at Shaw Cross Sharks in National Conference League division one.

Persistent indiscipline meant that the visitors were starved of possession for long periods of the match.

Only resolute defence kept the home side – who were workmanlike at best – at bay and kept the final score respectable.

Shaw Cross failed to turn their early possession into points and Acorn struck first on 12 minutes when a flowing move on the left saw Joe Porter race 50 metres to hand on to the supporting Leigh Rientoul for a good score.

It took Shaw Cross until the 27th minute to score their first try, when the inevitable pressure created a gap for centre Danny Flowers to go over to level.

The second half started brightly for Shaw Cross when, on 44 minutes, prop forward Danny Annakin barged over after Acorn conceded penalty after penalty to give them good field position. Flowers goaled.

The referee lost patience on 72 minutes when Nick Speck was sent to the sin bin when the visitors were on a team warning for their indiscretions. Ryan Chalkley added a penalty for an eight point gap.

Three minutes later, it was Jordan Hyde’s turn for the sin bin and Acorn were forced to finish the match with 11 men.

Adam Endersby crashed over with the last play, but there was little comfort for Acorn after a bitterly disappointing display.

Ryan Gallacher took the man of the match award, with support from Mike Embleton, Joe Budd and Gareth Singleton.