YORK ACORN ARLC's hopes of a play-off spot suffered a setback when they were beaten 36-8 at top three outfit Pilkington Recs in National Conference League division one.

The Blue and Golds started brightly and got on the scoreboard in the third minute when hooker James Mountford burrowed his way over for an unconverted try and a 4-0 lead.

Recs, though, hit back on 11 minutes with a converted try by their winger and they stretched their lead to 12-4 with quarter of an hour gone when a bust and offload brought them a converted try.

Acorn were guilty of making too many errors in a ten minute spell which handed the initiative to their hosts. Eager to oblige, they notched 12 unanswered points and virtually sealed the outcome of the game,

Firstly, on 22 minutes, a stray pass was intercepted and a 50 yard return brought their first six pointer.

On 35 minutes, Acorn were guilty of finishing off their set with a poor tactical kick and their hosts romped up to the other end and score to put themselves 24-4 up.

Head coach Scott Rhodes' men gave a good account of themselves after the break.

Substitute hooker Nick Speck probed and prompted from the acting half role and forwards Elliott Bulmer, Joe Porter and the returning Josh Mortimer took the game to their opponents in the forward exchanges.

With teenagers Jake Calam and Matthew Chilton eager to test themselves, Acorn started to compete more with ball in hand and test the resolute Recs defence.

All they had to show for their efforts was a good individual try by Calam on 50 minutes.

Pilkington registered some second half points with a high up and under score out wide on 62 minutes and a further converted score on 75 minutes.

Acorn, in fifth, will be looking for a positive reaction next week when they entertain fourth place side Hunslet Warriors in a must win game.