YORK Acorn suffered their third defeat in a row, losing 22-20 at Hull Dockers in National Conference League division one.

It was an encounter Acorn could have – and should have – won if only they had played smarter rugby in the final quarter.

However, they contrived to throw away a 20-12 lead by piggy-backing their hosts up the pitch on the back of penalties.

Hull Dockers managed to get their noses in front with tries in the 70th minute, through substitute Kane Larvin, and 73 minutes through prop Chris Lyth – with stand off George Russell adding a conversion to the first.

Earlier, the match had started disastrously for Acorn when, with seven seconds on the clock, Dockers centre Jordan Larvin responded to a knock on from the kick-off and picked up the loose ball before racing in from 35 yards for a try which Russell improved with a conversion.

Acorn hit back on nine minutes when Ryan Gallacher joined the right-side attacking line before forcing his way over for an unconverted try to cut the hosts' lead to 6-4.

Acorn's joy was short-lived when they made another handling error from the kick-off, and several plays later they were punished when Russell cut through and notched a try under the posts, which he added the extras to.

The visitors took control of possession for the remainder of the half but were guilty of not having enough patience and guile to open up a resolute home side defence.

Finally, they managed to get across the whitewash when interchange play involving sub forward Jack Byrne and centre Jordan Potter ended with the former romping over for a converted try that saw Acorn go in 12-10 down at the break.

Acorn continued to be the more dominant force upon the restart and got their noses in front on 59 minutes.

Their man of the match Gallacher showed great footwork and determination to force his way over out wide for an unconverted try, putting the blue and golds 14-12 ahead.

Acorn appeared to have produced a magical game-deciding moment on 67 minutes.

Quick hands involving Joe Budd, Gallacher and second rower Brandon Harris saw the latter cut back from the touchline to carve his way through and race behind the posts for a great try.

Matt Chilton added the extras to giving Acorn an eight-point lead.

Acorn only had to close the game out, but their game management suffered – as did their previously excellent discipline and Hull were only too eager to grasp the opportunity to turn the game on its head.

Despite the defeat, their were positives to be gleamed from this encounter, especially the performances of teenage second row pairing Harris and Reece Rushworth who continue to impress in both attack and defence.