SCOTT RHODES says his York Acorn ARLC must improve their discipline if they are to have any chance of success in the National Conference League this year.

Acorn were 16-6 up in their Challenge Cup first-round tie at division one rivals Shaw Cross on Saturday but lost 18-16 to a late converted try after having Matthew Woods sent off for dissent ten minutes from time.

It was their first fixture of 2015 and, while the league campaign doesn’t start until next month, Rhodes says cutting out penalties is one major improvement they must make between now and then - regardless of questionable refereeing.

“I’ve spoken to Matty about it," said Rhodes, the player having been yellow-carded for backchat before further dissent saw it changed to red.

“I think that kind of dissent is not on. Our discipline throughout the game was terrible. The penalty count was 14-2 at half-time, and five or six of them were for backchat.

“The refereeing standard at this level is not great but we know that and if he gives a decision he’s not going to change his mind. We have to learn to accept it.

“I’m not saying his decisions were great, and I thought the touch judges were worse, so I know players get frustrated.

“We never seem to have an easy ride at Shaw Cross. Lots of decisions are correct but some aren’t and frustration kicks in. But you’re not going to get many favours if you backchat.

“I think we were the better team but discipline killed us.”

Acorn had led through a Ryan Gallacher try midway through the first half and it became 10-0 when Jack Byrnes forced his way over, Antony Chilton goaling.

Greg Wilby hit back after the interval, Danny Flowers converting, but Acorn’s standout performer, Nick Speck, then crossed, with Chilton’s goal making it 16-6.

Sam Otterwell replied, Flowers goaling, before Woods saw red and a try by Robbie Byatt on 78 minutes levelled the scores.

Flowers’ conversion saw Shaw Cross progress to a second-round tie against Normanton, the winners of which face a potential money-spinner against semi-pro opposition in round three.

Said Rhodes: “At 16-6 up we should go on to win. But to have a player sent off with ten to go and lose the match is not acceptable.

“In the first half we played really well on a heavy pitch, but even then our discipline was non-existent.

“We still had opportunities to kill the game and go further and we squandered them. We can maybe put that down to rustiness but now we’re out of the cup.”

NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC face their top-of-the-table trip to Doncaster Toll Bar on Saturday knowing victory is vital if they are to win Pennine League championship one.

All Blacks have had a two-point deduction imposed for pulling out of their last game at Toll Bar at the end of January - they cited illness and players being snowed in on the day of the game for the late postponement - meaning they go into the game still second but now ten points adrift of their hosts.

Toll Bar also have a 100 per cent record, but All Blacks boss Jack Stearman said: “A win would give us a fighting chance of the title and maintain a cushion over the rest.

“We’ll play as best we can and try to end their unbeaten run. In our last two games we’ve played pretty well and we’ve still got that next level we can step up to.”

Nic Caldwell has returned to York Acorn but fellow big props Jojo Hnesh and Dan Atkinson are in line for returns.

Meanwhile, Sherburn Bears face a second cup tie in two weeks as they go to Cutsyke in the Castleford & Featherstone David Poulter Open first round (2.30pm) - cheered by their thrilling extra-time win at Wakefield City in the Pennine League Supplementary Cup second round.

Sherburn, one place above City in division four, had nine first-teamers missing, with coach Kev Jordan and secretary Matt Orford coming out of retirement.

Playmaker Sam Booth returned, though, for the first time since the season’s opener and his talents were soon to the fore as he put centre Johnboy Fenwick in.

The Bears scored again through full-back Ben Pugh and 17-year-old hooker Connor Jordan for a 16-6 half-time lead and a length-of-the-field effort from Jordan Richards upped the advantage.

City fought back, with a barrage of pressure bringing three tries and an equalising touchline conversion on full-time.

In extra time, though, Sherburn centre Nico Deville scored under the sticks after great work from Booth and Richards.

Wakefield threw everything at the Bears in the last ten minutes and had three chances but great defensive efforts saw the ball dropped over the line each time.

The Bears’ man of the match was young forward Jack Charlesworth, with Fenwick, Deville and supporters’ pick Kev Dalton - one of a number of players playing despite illness - also shining.

Division four neighbours Selby Warriors host Worth Village this Saturday (2.30pm) in the Supplementary Cup third round.