YORK Acorn’s promotion dream is over after a heated 25-18 defeat at Milford Marlins in the Kingstone Press National Conference League division one play-off semi-final.

The game was turned on its head during a decisive ten-minute spell midway through the second half that saw the hosts transform an 18-8 deficit into a seven-point victory.

Before that, there was a case to be made for the visitors being the better of the sides, the game only really slipping from their grasp after key playmaker Lewis Brown and winger Matty Downes had to leave the field through injury.

Acorn’s day was summed up by captain Tom Hill’s late sending off for an alleged high head shot, ending the game on a sour note.

Winners Milford now go on to meet Normanton in the play-off final at Widnes.

Acorn were the better side in the first half, despite having literally handed the initiative to Milford in the opening minutes – they first lost the ball in the tackle deep in their own half, before Marlins’ stand-off Zak Snellgrove flighted a kick over that was spilled, allowing full-back Josh Nathaniel to capitalise and score an unconverted try in the corner.

The Blue and Golds began to take control of the game, following this initial setback, and some enterprising passing play along their three-quarters ended with Ryan Gallacher touching down and Anthony Chilton converting from the touchline.

A Chilton penalty just before the half-hour mark edged the visitors into a four-point lead, but they then lost scrum-half Brown and winger Downes to head and shoulder injuries, respectively, in an unfortunate spell that would ultimately prove costly.

Milford drew level shortly after through an unconverted try, although Gallacher’s cover tackle appeared to have put player and ball into touch before the grounding.

Acorn took the lead again at the start of the second half, holding their form together despite the injuries, as the Blue and Golds' man-of-the-match Chilton caught, grounded and converted his own precision reverse clipped kick to give the visitors a six-point edge.

Four more points followed, Jack Stewart squeezing an unconverted try in at the corner.

Tensions flared more than once over the course of the game, and players from both sides spent time in the sin bin.

It was a typical cup tie with no quarter given, but it appeared that those back-to-back tries had given Acorn the momentum and put them on course for victory.

However, Milford’s rally in the 65th minute ripped the game from Acorn with three quick-fire tries and consigned them to defeat.

Another unconverted try, scored by centre Steve Bacon, cut Acorn’s lead to six points, before they drew level minutes after through second-rower Tom Wilson’s touchdown and Snellgrove’s conversion.

Milford then took the lead almost immediately afterwards, loose forward James Barker cutting through from the halfway line and racing 40 metres before sending the supporting Snellgrove in to score and convert.

The match was wrapped up by hooker Josh Parle’s drop goal.

Acorn continued to press and attempt to get over the line, but were held up continually, and the match reached its conclusion shortly after Hill was sent off.