A CONTROVERSIAL yellow card cost relegation-threatened Malton & Norton dearly as their losing run in North One East continued at leaders West Hartlepool.

Prop Nick Salisbury was sin-binned four minutes before half-time, after which the hosts quickly built a game-changing 15-0 lead. They went on to win 20-0, leaving Malt still in the drop zone.

M&N spokesman Bill Laidler said: “During the current season, Malton have relied heavily on the success of the forwards and, as a result of this domination, have been awarded five penalty tries in five separate games.

“On this occasion that aspect of Malton’s play did not meet with the satisfaction of the referee, who penalised the pack at seven successive scrums culminating in a yellow card for Nick Salisbury.

“Up to that point the game had been finely poised. However, it then changed in West Hartlepool’s favour.”

The deadlock had yet to be broken, but the hosts took advantage of the extra man.

From a scrum on Malton’s 22, they spread the ball wide for the opening score.

Then a mix-up at the back of a West Hartlepool ruck appeared to have given Malton possession. But, instead of being able to clear their lines, Malt were penalised and a tap penalty led to West’s second try which was converted.

The second half began badly for Malt, too, as they were again penalised at a scrum in front of their own posts and West made it 15-0.

Both sides attempted to play good rugby but defences were on top before Malton were dealt a further blow in injury time.

Hooker Jim Thornton was sin-binned for an offence on his own line, and that card was changed to red due to dissent. West duly got their third try from a rolling maul.

On the plus side for Malt, young prop James Bulmer coped well in his first taste of senior rugby.