Red-faced York Wasps suffered the ultimate humiliation as they plumbed new depths at bottom club Chorley Lynx yesterday.

The Lynx had the longest losing run in the NFP, stretching back 36 games over more than a year.

But incredibly they shrugged aside the Wasps with the same ease as title challengers Leigh and Widnes in previous weeks to record an astounding 78-8 victory.

The Wasps' shameful showing left the players, supporters and coach speechless. Indeed, coach Lee Crooks declined to speak to the press after the game because he feared he would say something he might regret.

That was probably a wise action. While there have been mitigating circumstances and some positive aspects in the all the other heavy defeats this season, this time there were no excuses.

The club record 90-6 defeat by Widnes was understandable given the lack of players, there was plenty of pride in the 86-12 beating by Leigh but yesterday there was no consolation to be found.

It was arguably the worst performance in York's history and leaves them wondering where they can possibly go from here.

That is a situation Chorley have found themselves in many times over the last couple of years. They had become the whipping boys of the NFP but for once they ensured their Victory Park home was exactly that.

They played with enthusiasm, self-belief and no little skill to take full advantage of the Wasps' feeble resistance.

York's hopes took a turn for the worst in the sixth minute when prop Mick Hagan was sent off for elbowing Chorley full-back Stuart Dickinson in the head. Dickinson left the field with a nasty head wound which could land Hagan with a hefty ban if he is found guilty.

At that point the Wasps were already 4-0 down following a third minute try by impressive Lynx stand-off Mick Farrell.

York levelled matters on nine minutes when a well-timed short pass from Lee Badauskas put Andy Hutchinson through a gaping hole and the big prop side-stepped the last man to cruise over a try which Danny Waite was unable to convert.

They managed to stay on terms until midway through the half when York lost possession 30 metres from their own line and Farrell kicked ahead the loose ball before regathering and touching down.

That sparked a Chorley onslaught and by half-time they had increased the lead to 30-8, Gareth Lloyd forcing his way over for York's second try just before the interval.

It got even worse after the break as the Wasps defence went from flimsy to non-existent.

Chief tormentor was scrum-half Stuart Fisher who finished with five tries and nine goals for a personal contribution of 38 points.

That deservedly broke the club's tries in a match record of four and the points in a match record of 24 which had been held jointly by Mike Smith and Phil Jones.

Man of the match Farrell completed his hat-trick with other tries coming from Ian Talbot, debutants Matthew Brown and Darren Geritas, Graham Taberner, Chris Ramsdale, Lee Maiden and Luke Vincent.

Watching the devastation unfold was John Stabler in his first match back as chairman after officially taking charge during the week.

Not far down the road the club he quit to return to York, Hull FC, were enjoying a fine Super League victory at Warrington.

He must have been wondering what on earth he has done. But more importantly, what on earth he can do to put things right.

Chorley Lynx 78, York Wasps 8

Chorley lynx: Stuart Dickinson, Chris Ramsdale, Darren Geritas, Andrew Friar, Graham Taberner, Mick Farrell, Stuart Fisher, Lee Prest, Lee Ashton, Lee Westwood, Phil Harrison, Mike Prescott, Ian Talbot. Subs: Lee Maiden (Talbot 58), Matthew Brown (Dickinson 7), Rob Verelli (Prescott 63), Luke Vincent (Harrison 50). Blood bin: Verelli (Prest 25, reversed 40) Sin-binned: None

Sent off: None Tries: Farrell (3, 19, 48), Talbot (21), Fisher (24, 41, 59, 75, 80), Brown (27), Geritas (29), Taberner (45), Ramsdale (55), Maiden (62), Vincent (73). Conversions: Fisher 9

York Wasps: Martin Hunt 4, Tim Rumford 5, Craig Moore 5, Gareth Lloyd 4, Andy Innes 4, Chris Allen 5, Danny Waite 4, Mick Hagan -, Gareth Dobson 6, Andy Hutchinson 4, Luke Judson 4, Darren Crake 5, Lee Badauskas 5.

Subs: Ricky Hall (Waite 29mins) 4, Gareth Oulton (Judson 16) 4, Nathan Pincher (Moore 31) 4. Re-subs: Moore (Crake 46), Crake (Dobson 53), Judson (Lloyd 60).

Not used: Matt Mulholland. Sin-binned: None. Sent off: Hagan (6mins, elbow)

Man of the match: Gareth Dobson, Always maintains his high standards in the face of adversity. Tried hard but no support from the players around him

Updated: 13:31 Monday, March 19, 2001