YORK RUFC'S run of poor results continued with their first home defeat of the season to a workmanlike Keighley at windy Clifton Park.

With influential forwards Grant Williams and Andy Kay being added to the long injury list just before the kick-off, York knew that regaining their early season winning Yorkshire One form was not going to be easy and so it proved as they lost 10-3.

Keighley kicked off deep into York territory, and with the strong wind behind them stayed there for most of the first half.

A solid York defence and poor Keighley finishing meant that half-time arrived with no score. There had been occasional York sorties into the Keighley half but the execution was poor. On one occasion when a try looked certain, full-back Neil McClure mistimed the final pass to winger Mike Westwood that would have resulted in an early York score.

With the wind behind them in the second half, York looked to exert pressure on the Keighley line.

Stand-off Carl Paterson kicked for position and five minutes into the second half the deadlock was broken when Paterson kicked a penalty given for obstruction on Sam Arkle.

Despite the wind in their faces, Keighley created several scoring opportunities which went begging because of poor handling.

On the hour mark Keighley finally crossed the York line. Scrum-half Balderstone took a tap penalty in York's 22 and, from the ensuing maul, switched blind for winger Matthew Cox to score unopposed as his opposite number Westwood attempted an interception.

Although York exerted pressure on the Keighley line, particularly with rolling mauls, they could not make the vital breakthrough.

With five minutes to go, Keighley secured the win when a finely judged kick by stand-off James Harrison was cleanly gathered for right-wing Asa Firth to cross.

With no league match next Saturday, York will be looking to get some of their injured players back for their visit in two weeks' time to coach Ken Higgins's former club Wheatley Hills.