YORK Acorn returned to amateur rugby league's top flight in stunning fashion - upsetting the odds in a thrilling National Conference League division one play-off final.

The Blue and Golds had shocked Shaw Cross in the semi-finals and they did even better at Widnes’ Select Security Stadium to beat Normanton Knights 30-22.

Normanton, who had just missed out on automatic promotion, finished seven points above Acorn in the table, beating them home and away, and the opening quarter here suggested they would have the edge in this showdown too. But Acorn would not go away and, after levelling bang on half-time, an energetic, dominant second-half show brought Scott Rhodes’ young charges deserved success and a place back in the premier division after two years away.

Great early defence kept Normanton out but the ball was lost on a counter-attack and, as the Knights pressed again, hooker Chris Woodford got over, Adrian Mulcahy adding the first of his three conversions.

York replied from their first attack, Joe Budd chipping to the corner where tall winger Josh Thompson leapt highest to catch and put down. But Normanton seemed to be turning the screw. They threatened from two kicks and, from a fourth consecutive set, Lee Starbuck scored.

Nevertheless, Acorn looked dangerous whenever they got up the other end.

Great hands down the inside right had second-row Tom Hill breezing through and he gave the scoring pass to centre Ryan Gallacher, Jake Calam goaling.

Then, from the next attack, Acorn appeared held up but Harry Bromwich was awarded the touchdown, Ant Chilton converting.

However, Clark Thompson came on for Normanton and made an impact as big as his huge frame, ultimately putting his side back in front when barging over.

Knights winger Joe Crossland also had a try ruled out for a forward pass, but the half ended with an Acorn penalty for a high tackle and, despite it being near half-way out on the left, Chilton – with probably the best left foot in the division - booted a remarkable goal to level at 18-18.

Acorn began the second stanza on fire, and a brilliant move down the right ended with Gallacher getting the ball out for hooker Nick Speck to score.

Knights responded in kind, centre Connor Taylor finishing a superb try to make it 22-22.

But then the game then turned York’s way.

Normanton fumbled on half-way and Jordan Myers hacked into open space only to be pulled back off the ball by opposite number Taylor, who was sin-binned.

Acorn made the extra man count, spreading the ball left on the last tackle, Myers crashing over.

They had another chance when Gallacher broke from his own half but, with men in support, he kept hold and was felled. Acorn still got up the other end, though, and Chilton took the two in front of the sticks when Normanton were offside.

He added another two-pointer from 38 metres as Normanton continued to infringe.

The Knights now had to score twice but looked shot, rarely getting in Acorn’s half and erring when they did, ran ragged by Acorn’s unstinting enthusiasm.

A late Chilton 40-20 – capping a man-of-the-match performance by the substitute half-back - then put paid to any hopes they had left.

Acorn could not get another score, much as they tried, but the full-time whistle still sparked a mini pitch invasion from Acorn’s noisy supporters.

Normanton: Hodgson, Crossland, Wilson, Taylor, Hammond, Carroll, Mulcahy, Kelsy, Woodford, Evans, Blakeway, Starbuck, Alexander. Subs (all used): Kirk, Hoult, Smith, C Thompson.

Acorn: Calam 8, Johnson 8, Gallacher 8, Myers 8, J Thompson 8, H Bromwich 8, Budd 8, Stubbs 8, Speck 8, Porter 9, Hill 9, Bulmer 8, Mortimer 8. Subs (all used): Endersby 8, North 8, Chilton 9, Byrnes 8.