YORK Acorn will definitely finish bottom of the National Conference premier division this season after losing to Hull Dockers.

Acorn, who had already been relegated, needed a win on Saturday against their fellow strugglers Dockers to keep alive any hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon.

But Leigh Paul-Rientoul’s side suffered a sixth straight defeat in the cruellest of fashions as Andy Kay’s penalty gave Dockers a 28-27 victory with the last kick of the game.

The result was not enough to save Dockers from the drop as Egremont Rangers secured their survival with a 28-14 victory over Pilkington Recs.

Lock Lane, who lost at home to Kells, were also relegated this weekend and will join Acorn and the Dockers in divison one next season.

With club sponsors watching from the stands, Acorn delivered a spirited performance in their penultimate game of a difficult season.

The opening exchanges were even between the two sides until, while pushing up from their own 20, the Dockers threw out a speculative pass which was intercepted by Antony Chilton who went in unopposed before converting his own try.

Ryan Gallacher received a cut out pass and beat off the defenders to score Acorn’s second try of the afternoon after 20 minutes which Chilton converted.

On the half hour, Acorn took another two points from a penalty to extend their lead to 14-0.

It took another five minutes for Hull to finally get on the scoreboard – centre Kyle Larvin taking advantage of slick hands to score out wide.

Acorn began the second half brightly and scored just two minutes after the re-start.

A Chilton reverse kick caught the Dockers’ defence napping and Joe Budd pounced to score. Chilton converted.

Leading 20-4, Acorn looked to be on course for a long overdue victory but the Dockers were having none of it and scored two tries in the space of just three minutes to pull themselves right back into the game.

Scott Runkee crashed over and then winger Robert Smith was the try scorer, supporting well after Dockers had split the defence.

Kay converted from the touchline and the 12 points put Dockers just four points behind at 20-16.

The tension grew as both teams worked hard to take command and it was Acorn who scored next. A grubber from Chilton bounced of the legs of the Dockers defence and Adam Endersby was on hand to touch down. Acorn pulled out 10 points again.

But Dockers came back with two tries in three minutes – Paul Fletcher and Reece Lazenby scoring, Kay converting both times to level the score at 26-26.

On 76 minutes, Acorn looked to score but then threw the ball back out where Chilton was on hand to drop a goal.

The game was still not over and Hull attacked with vigour, desperately wanting to find another score needed to steal the game.

A high kick came down in the in goal area, the Acorn fullback was unable to gather but, as the ball went forward and was picked up by an Acorn player, the referee had no choice but to award a penalty to the visitors for off side.

Kay stepped up and added two points. It was the last kick of the game and condemned Acorn to the wooden spoon.

They visit Pilkington Recs this weekend in the final game of the season.