POCKLINGTON RUFC agonisingly came up just short at Ilkley - where both sides scored four tries but the West Yorkshire outfit kicked more conversions to edge home 28-22.

Having struggled at this level all season, Pock are now all but doomed, cast adrift at the foot of the North Premier table, some 23 points from safety with eight games left.

They have deserved more reward for their efforts, though, such as in this game.

Here they had to overcome a bad start - as good play then good luck paved the way for two converted Ilkley tries in the first 10 minutes.

But they regrouped and this time things went their way as James Flint charged down a home clearance kick, collected and galloped 20 yards to the try-line.

They retained the initiative, and a strong pack drive infield from a lineout on halfway developed into a blindside raid, with full-back Christian Pollock involved twice - his lobbed pass inside over the heads of the cover finding the supporting Owen Jackson to score and cut the gap to 14-10.

The game continued end to end in the mud, before Pocklington had to pull out all the stops to defend their line throughout five minutes of first-half stoppage time.

Ilkley took that momentum into the second half, but were met by more Pocklington defensive steel, with Billy Hardy to the fore in midfield and out wide.

However, Ilkley's offloading skills produced a well-worked score down the left, another good conversion pulling them clear again.

Once more Pocklington responded, as drives from a scrum and two lineouts took them up to the home line where a series of pick-and-go batters ended with Tom Peters getting the touchdown against the foot of a post.

Dan Elliot took over the kicking duties as Pollock was hindered by his ankle problem, and the fly-half popped over the conversion to make it 21-17.

Though the Pocklington pack was now in ascendancy, Ilkley were still dangerous on the counter, and, when a Pock kick gave the home side possession, they used it well to fashion the opening for a crucial fourth converted try.

With 10 minutes to go and 11 points adrift, the visitors again dug deep to lay siege to the home line.

They were stopped on or over it half a dozen times from rolling mauls before lock Archie Fothergill spun off to dive over.

Pock were now back within a score, but with just two minutes left to pull the game out of the fire. However, they dropped the ball in the mud trying to run it back, and were beaten by the clock as Ilkley hung on to take the spoils.