YORK Acorn's quest for their first Kingstone Press National Conference League victory continues as they went down 18-10 at home to a good Wigan St Patricks outfit.

Most of the action took place in the first half as Pats raced into an eight-point lead in the opening four minutes, scoring off their initial set when second-row Phil Mitchell was on hand, supporting down the right to open the visitors' account.

St Pats struck again after a flowing move, wingman Areel Oderinde going over in the corner, and it took until the eighth minute for the blue and golds to get going, Ryan Gallacher crossing from close range and Antony Chilton adding the goal.

Acorn began to get some good field position and pressured the St Pats line on numerous occasions, with only resolute goal-line defence keeping the home side at bay.

St Pats full back Danny Birkett kicked a penalty on 36 minutes and, controversially, another penalty on the stroke of half-time for an incorrect play-the-ball led to John Padgett going over and Birkett goalling for a 10-point half-time lead.

The second half was nip and tuck. Acorn edged back into it with a Jordan Myers try on 44 minutes after a good Joel Johnson break – but again opportunities were there but not taken, something that showed the difference in standard in this division.

St Pats rounded off the scoring with a Birkett penalty on 67 minutes to seal their victory.

Josh Mortimer was given Acorn's man of the match award, closely followed by Joe Porter and Johnson, who also had excellent games.