Atkin shines against former club as below-par York snatch win at the death

However, the hosts made a bright start, fly half Neil McClure landing a penalty from in front of the posts, which was soon cancelled out.

Yarnbury took an 8-3 lead in the 25th minute before Hugh Nicholson was held up just short of the line, York being awarded a penalty, which McClure slotted.

The home side were playing into the strong wind in the second half and introduced replacements Jon Dawes, James Hartley and Josh Mortimer in a bid to find new impetus, a third McClure penalty giving them a 9-8 lead.

Losing influential skipper Chris Fox to injury normally signals a York collapse, and Yarnbury cashed in with a 55th-minute converted try for a 15-9 lead.

York had No 8 Marcus Britland yellow carded ten minutes later, Yarnbury making it 18-9 with a penalty, but the hosts then started their late comeback.

From a close-in line-out in the 70th minute, Josh Parker scored a try, Dawes converting, and scrum half Toby Atkin, playing against his old club, prop Dan Coe and full back George Davies then put York in good field position.

Man-of-the-match Atkin took a quick tap penalty, McClure went blind and winger Will Dunlop dived over in the corner to snatch victory.

In North One East, Pocklington gave a performance that was full of commitment and verve to defeat second-placed visitors Morley 17-10.

The hosts dominated territory and possession for the first 30 minutes, but could only get a try by lock Archie Fothergill, who started and finished a line-out catch and drive in the 22nd minute.

However, Morley reduced the arrears with a penalty and had the wind in their favour in the second half.

Inspired, however, by strong tackling across the park and a pack that hit the rucks with gusto, Pocklington centre Pete Massie scored a try.

The Maroons replied with a converted try to make it 10-10 but lost a man to the sin-bin before Massie and full back Joe Holbrough combined for the latter to score the winning try, skipper Ben Rees converting.