YORK Acorn’s Karl Harton has landed a one match ban after a red card against Milford Marlins.

Harton pleaded guilty to punching an opponent when he attended a RFL disciplinary hearing this week.

The utility back will still be available for this weekend’s game against Blackbrook in the Kingstone Press National Conference First Division but will miss the visit of Normanton Knights on May 20.

Coach Leigh Paul Rientoul admits that he is looking for an improvement in discipline from all his players but says standards across the league appear to be falling.

“Discipline has been a bit of an issue for us this season but it’s happening right across the board,” he said.

“I am told that the number of ‘sin-bins’ and sendings-off at this stage of the season has never been higher in the National Conference.

“It often stems from frustration,” he said. “Referees sometimes don’t make the right decisions and players often feel they need to argue their case when they know a referee has given it wrong.

“I have spoken to our players about it in training. It’s a bit like going back to when we were kids but I want us to cut out the ‘back-chat’ and get on with the game. The lads should try and take it on board.”

Paul-Rientoul had feared the possibility of a longer ban for Harton but says his early guilty player helped reduce the punishment.

“We were pleased with the outcome – I expected him to get a lot more,” he said.

Only last month, Acorn ‘A’s opening game in the Yorkshire Men’s League against Knottingley Worms was abandoned when a player swore at the referee.

That led to a £100 fine from the RFL which has been suspended until the end of the season.

Both Harry Bromwich and Stephen Waldron, who were sent off in the game, received one game bans.

Buoyed by victory last weekend against Ince Rose Bridge, Acorn will be looking for another two points on Saturday against struggling Blackbrook.

Although there has been no progress on moves to sign players from York RUFC, including Gareth Singleton, Acorn’s injury list has improved and coach Paul-Rientoul may even have a few selection headaches this weekend.

Second rowers Jack Byrnes and Reece Rushworth and centre Ryan Gallacher have all recovered from the knocks which forced them to miss last weekend’s victory.

Matthew Wood is also available after being ruled out by work commitments and Adam Speck (ankle) could also return.

Veteran prop Adam Endersby and former Hull KR winger Jack Stewart both reported no ill-effects from their return to action last week.

Captain Tom Hill, however, will be sidelined for another six weeks with broken ribs.

“We have been struggling for players in recent games but this week I have got too many players and I might struggle to pick the team,” said Paul-Rientoul.

That news could have a positive ‘knock-on’ effect for Acorn ‘A’ who are still looking for their first victory of the season after four games in YML division one.

On Saturday, Acorn ‘A’ travel to play Keighley Albion who are only two points higher up the table.

Leaders Heworth, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain division one’s only 100 per cent record when they visit fourth placed Skirlaugh Bulls.

Despite missing several players, Heworth beat Mirfield Stags 42-16 last weekend thanks to hat-tricks from full-back Fraser West and scrum-half Liam Jackson.

Second placed New Earswick All Blacks will aim to keep the pressure on Heworth when they visit Mirfield Stags..

York Lokomotive,who visit Walton Warriors this weekend, are the early leaders in YML division four after collecting three points from their opening two encounters against Sheffield Hawks and West Bowling ‘A’.