YORK Acorn reckon they need two more points from their last three games to ensure safety in National Conference League division two.

The Blue and Golds, who have slipped to fourth bottom after a run of seven games without a victory, are four points above the re-election zone but believe that two more points will mean Hillsborough Hawks, in second bottom, will not be able to catch them, given the Sheffield side's remaining fixtures.

And Acorn assistant coach Paul Lumby reckons Saturday's game at home to Cottingham Tigers provides a good chance of gleaning those two necessary points.

"If we show anything like the commitment and performance we showed last week when losing to leaders Milford, we believe we can get back to winning ways," he said.

"It's a tough game. They're defensively very strong and at this moment we, without an experienced play-maker, seem to struggle to break down well-organised defences.

"But we will be aiming to create more and it's important we take our chances."

Acorn have no new injury worries and several players could return, including prop Gareth Barron and wingers Gary Isles and Alan Willitts.

Lumby added: "A victory would not only give us two vital points but would also put us in the right frame of mind for next week's derby against Heworth."

The Villagers are without a game this weekend, which gives a few players an extra seven days to overcome niggling injuries in time for the Acorn clash, including Steve Barnard, Carl Barrow and Nikki Wilson.

They will be hoping lowly Rochdale Mayfield cause a major upset by beating leaders Milford Marlins, thus doing them a favour in their promotion race.

New Earswick All Blacks player-coach Simon Baynes is looking for a much-improved performance from his side for their match against Sharlston.

The team, disappointing in their defeat to Kingsley last week, are set to be under-strength again with only Nigel Tyreman returning to the squad.

In division two, Selby Warriors have a tough encounter in store as they entertain champions-elect Swillington and similarly Heworth 'A' entertain leaders Mirfield in division three.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes said the reserve team had been struggling for numbers over recent weeks but praised the players who have been 'battling valiantly' to fulfil fixtures.

"We will probably make the squad up with one or two fringe first-teamers this week but predominantly it will be the lads who have been playing over the last few weeks, who have been doing well in the circumstances," he added.

York Acorn 'A' visit Ackworth in division two looking to follow on from there good win over White Hart last week.

It's top versus bottom in Pennine League division four where lowly York Groves travel to runaway leaders Newsome Panthers, who are the only team throughout the league's seven divisions to boast a 100 per cent record.

Updated: 08:38 Thursday, March 13, 2003