MALTON & Norton snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in an enthralling encounter at The Gannock - visitors Bradford & Bingley stealing the North One East points with a try on the last play of the game.

The 29-27 reverse - to the team that beat them to the Yorkshire One title last season - ended Malt's three-match winning run but, having scored some scintillating tries, they should really have closed out the victory.

"There is no doubt that Malton have the talent and players to move forward but they must learn to close out games when they have a good lead," said spokesman Bill Laidler.

"Sam Triffitt and Ali Coe were the standout forwards and the threequarter line as a whole showed great ability in attack."

Bradford & Bingley went ahead with a penalty for incorrect scrummaging after four minutes and Malton were again put under pressure from the restart before a piece of brilliance from their threequarters got the crowd buzzing.

Gaining possession from a lineout on their own 22-metre line, the ball was transferred to fly-half Luke Reduva who made the initial break before setting fellow backs Nick Rangiuira and Xolela Payi free on half way.

Payi pinned his ears back and, after sidestepping the last defender, left the chasing defenders for dead, adding the conversion himself.

Malton, playing good rugby, should have capitalised but were let down by inaccurate passing or wrong decisions.

Bradford were having trouble in the scrums and after conceding a number of penalties lost a prop to the sin-bin. Five minutes later another player was sin-binned for dissent.

However, Malton did not take advantage of the extra men, failing to keep the ball in hand and allowing the visitors to weather the period without damage.

Once back to a full complement Bradford made Malton pay. Pinned in their own 22, Malt had opportunities to clear but attempted to run from defence. The visitors regained possession and scored.

The conversion put B&B ahead but Malton levelled with a Payi penalty on half-time.

The second half opened with another piece of individual brilliance from Payi.

Taking possession in his own 22, the full-back booted upfield into open ground, before showing his speed and ball control as he kicked on again and won the foot race to touch down. Scrum-half Paul Angus converted.

Again they allowed the visitors to claw their way back.

Simple rugby got them to within striking distance and when Malton conceded a penalty a quick tap and go found the gap for the visitors to again level the scores.

Malton were having the lion's share of territory and possession but the visitors' defence was solid and it needed another piece of individual brilliance for Malt's third try.

Collecting a poor clearance kick close to the touchline 40 metres out, wing Blake Spencer sidestepped the first defender, shrugged off two more would-be tacklers and sprinted home.

Angus converted and, when they were awarded a penalty four minutes later, Payi stretched the lead to ten points and with 15 minutes left.

Malton again committed too many errors to allow B&B to fight back.

From a Malton lineout five metres out, Bradford stole possession and set up a rolling maul before releasing to the backs who scored in the corner.

An excellent conversion brought them back to within three points.

Then, as the game entered injury time, Malton again failed to clear and from another lineout an unstoppable Bradford maul rolled to the line and the inevitable try ensued.