YORK Acorn staged a stunning second-half fight back at home to promotion chasing Milford Marlins in division two of the National Conference League.

However, it proved not enough for gallant Acorn, who were finally edged out 18-22 after conceding a 71st-minute try to Milford's left winger, Mick Moran.

In the first half, Acorn were slow out of the blocks but took a tenth minute lead when impressive prop forward Lee McTigue powered over from close range for a try converted by full-back and man of the match Jon Hough.

However, Acorn remained very much second best to Milford, who moved effortlessly into a 6-18 lead by the interval.

Two tries in five minutes from their prop forward David Bray in the 14th and 19th-minute, with the latter being converted by himself, set them on their way.

Further scores from stand-off Marc Gibson on 28 minutes on the last tackle and full-back Paul Coates on 39 minutes seemed to have set Milford on their way to an easy win and two more points in their quest to pip Crosfield for promotion.

Fortunately for the home supporters, Acorn came out with much more purpose after the restart and turned in a much improved showing that nearly yielded an unlikely win.

Their fight back began on 47 minutes when right winger Gary Isles used his strength to power over from five yards. Hough then took Acorn's tally to 12 points with an excellent touchline conversion.

On 52 minutes Milford looked like scoring until Acorn left winger Kevin Brundett intercepted and set off on a 50-yard return.

Quick thinking by acting-half Hough saw him race across the pitch and then curve around the Milford defence before outpacing the Milord cover on a 40-yard touchline run. Hough then added another excellent touchline conversion to tie the scores up at 18-18.

Acorn hopes of a fine win were thwarted on 71 minutes following Moran's unconverted try, which had come as a result of Acorn losing possession 60 yards out from their line.

Three plays later, Milford created the overlap from which Moran dived over in the corner. Acorn still had two further chances to rescue something from this game but both McTigue and Gareth Lloyd were thwarted by a resolute Milford defence.

A late try also robbed Heworth of victory against Crosfields in the division two of the NCL.

A spirited and hard-working display deserved more, but it was the title-chasing Halifax-based side who completed a cruel double 20-18 with ex-Warrington Wolves centre Jamie Stenhouse delivering the killer-blow.

Having won at Heworth by a solitary point earlier in the season, Crosfields edged them out by just two points in this return fixture - but only after overcoming a ten-point deficit.

Russ Parkman opened the scoring in the fifth-minute for Crosfields, but a superb interception try by Nikki Wilson, who sprinted 70 metres for the score, brought Heworth back into the game.

Carl Potter converted and then had a hand in the second try for Heworth. His pass put Wayne Foster through into a gap, with the forward drawing the full-back and popping the ball to Brendan Carlyle to score. Potter converted.

Crosfields hit back almost immediately after the break when Billy Rowan crossed, but Heworth extended their lead to 18-8 when Mark Green put John Coulson in for a try which Potter converted.

A Rob Ditchfield try, converted by Jimmy Williams, for Crosfields set up a thrilling final quarter, but the match was to turn when Foster was sin-binned with 12 minutes left for delibrate offside.

Crosfields exploited their extra man advantage to put Stenhouse in for a try, which Williams superbly converted to win the game.

Updated: 11:53 Monday, March 18, 2002