YORK Acorn literally paid the penalty for ill discipline as their hopes of a place in the third round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup ended when they went down 18-4 at National Conference League Premier Division outfit Myton Warriors.

In miserable conditions on a gluepot pitch, Acorn were hampered by a lop-sided penalty count of 21 against and only 11 for.

Allied to this, Acorn were beaten by hosts who adapted marginally better and produced the one moment of attacking quality when their prolific try-scorer, stand-off Nathan Slater, took an inside pass to race 40 yards on a weaving run for a crucial try as they built up an 18-4 first-half lead.

Despite the defeat, however, Acorn’s goal-line defence was brilliant for long periods.

Also Acorn had arguably the best player on the park in prop forward Tim Stubbs, who gave a non-stop, 80-minute display, regularly taking the ball up and doing more than his fair share of tackling. Other notable contributions came from prop Jack Byrne, teenage substitute Brandon Harris and hooker Nick Speck.

Myton took the lead after ten minutes when, despite looking as if Acorn had the threat covered in the left-hand corner, full back Ryan Marazza squeezed over for a try that was goaled by centre Ashley James.

Acorn hit back after 16 minutes when an Anthony Chilton bomb was palmed by full back Ryan Gallacher to supporting winger Jack Stewart, who raced in at the corner.

Then Slater produced his moment of magic, James making it a six-pointer for 12-4, and they stretched their lead via rare Acorn defensive frailty, hooker Wes Newton scoring for James to convert.

Acorn nearly scored after 70 minutes when teenage scrum half Matthew Chilton took the ball to the advantage line and set up an opening for his forwards, only for the ball to hit the deck.