YORK RUFC’s poor form on the road continued as they fell 14-5 to high-flying Keighley.

The Clifton Parkers needed to build on their convincing win over Beverley, but it was the hosts who adapted far better to the atrocious boggy Skipton Road conditions - the result leaving York fifth in Yorkshire One, their away record hampering promotion hopes.

Keighley took first advantage of the strong breeze and quickly opened the scoring after York knocked-on from the kick off before being deemed to have collapsed the resulting scrum. Fly-half Alex Brown slotted over the penalty from 40 metres.

It took ten minutes for the hosts to return to opposition territory but, in between times, constant pressure from the visitors was not turned into points, York losing control of their driving mauls.

Instead, Keighley went closest when Tom Lowther was harshly penalised for a double movement - a big let-off for the visitors.

York had to endure further pressure and a series of penalties led to Brown’s second three-pointer.

As rain and sleet began to pour, it was clear the game would be a war of attrition - whoever made the fewer mistakes was likely to win.

After several promising phases, York won a five-yard scrum but, while they drove the Keighley pack back, they again lost control at the critical point.

Then, Keighley, using the breeze, took play back into York’s half where another penalty saw Brown make it 9-0.

On the stroke of half-time, though, a lineout on the home 22 saw the York pack to get their act together and drive over next to the posts, prop James Hartley coming up with the ball.

York dominated territory in the second period, with the hosts getting into the visitors’ half only three times. But the first of these incursions resulted in York flanker Hannibal being yellow-carded for “slapping at the ball”. Brown missed the easy penalty.

The 14 men still won two kickable penalties - but the first was screwed wide and they opted to kick to the corner with the second, only to lose the lineout.

After more pressure, York, back up to 15, again declined an easy attempt at goal. This time the lineout was won but the driving maul came to nothing.

On Keighley’s second attack, they were denied a try as Will Atkin covered back to touch down a fly kick.

York were soon back on the offensive, after a quick break by full-back Tom Newitt. However, an overlap was wasted, the defence made a last-ditch tackle and, after York drove deep into the 22 after a lineout, they were penalised for joining a maul from the front.

Keighley sealed victory on 74 minutes, after their third incursion of the half. A kick over the top caught the defence flat-footed, the hosts winning the chase.