TIME is running out for York Acorn in the battle to avoid relegation from the National Conference Premier Division.

Coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul has openly admitted that survival is 'unlikely' but, with five games to play, it is still mathematically possible for the club to stay up.

Acorn, who host third placed Wath Brow Hornets on Saturday, are six points adrift of safety and next to bottom of the table.

With no game on the next two weekends, Acorn are looking to go into the break on a high.

However, in order to stay up, they need to pick up SEVEN more points than Lock Lane (the only club they can still catch above the relegation zone) because of a vastly inferior points difference.

And if they lose on Saturday and Lock Lane win at home to Egremont Rangers, it will all be over bar the shouting.

Victory over the Hornets is vital if Acorn want to stay alive.

"If I am being honest, I don't think we are going to win our last five games," says Paul-Rientoul. "Obviously, if Lock Lane lost all of their remaining games, it could be close - but I just don't see that happening.

"The best we can do now is just try and string a few wins together to build for next season in Division One," he added.

Ironically, Acorn showed signs of a capability to stay up three weeks ago by beating Lock Lane 40-24 at Thanet Road.

But they have lost eight out of the last nine and Paul-Rientoul has often questioned the 'attitude' of his team and bemoaned the over-reliance on players such as Tim Stubbs and Joe Porter.

After Saturday's home game, Acorn's final four fixtures are against Egremont Rangers, West Hull, Hull Dockers, and Pilkington Recs.

"We will give it our best shot against Wath this weekend," he said. "And I keep stressing that, if we turn up with the right attitude, we are capable of beating anyone in this division. But, too often, our attitude lets us down."

Acorn are boosted by the return to the ranks of prop Simon Wadsworth and the return to fitness of Adam Endersby. Daryl North is also back from holiday but Ryan Gallacher suffered a shoulder injury last weekend and is doubtful.

Jordan Myers remains unavailable with a broken finger.

York Acorn A host leaders Sharlston Rovers in the Yorkshire Mens League Premier division. Rovers have won all eleven of their league games so far this season.

After an empty week, Heworth return to action with a mid-table battle against Knottingley Worms in division one.

York Lokomotive, meanwhile, need to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat against Scarborough Pirates as they seek to climb off the foot of the second division table.