YORK Acorn ARLC coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul has admitted that any losses now will make his side’s bid for the play-offs less likely.

The Blue and Golds had been looking good on a three-match winning run in the National Conference League division one, but two straight defeats have made the job look tougher.

On Saturday, Acorn host Milford Marlins, who currently occupy the last play-off spot, three points above Paul-Rientoul’s side.

The last time these sides met, the game ended in a 30-30 draw. Since then, Marlins have lost five of those eight games – including all of their last three.

In their squad, they are likely to include a few of their Ukrainian contingent, who Paul-Rientoul knows from his BARLA tours.

Paul-Rientoul said: “If we win, we’re one point behind Milford.

“But these are the games now that, if we lose, will make it harder and harder to achieve the play-offs. We’ve got to take it as it comes and put the best team out that we can.

“They’re always very good games against Milford. It’ll be good if our lads can get one over on them and get into the play-offs.

“It’ll be a good chance to catch up with their Ukrainian players – and hopefully I’ll have the bragging rights at the end.”

Last week, Acorn suffered a second-half collapse in a 34-18 loss at Lock Lane, in which a 15-minute period saw a 14-10 lead turn into a 34-14 deficit..

Commenting on the game, Paul-Rientoul said: “We were just unfortunate. We played good stuff and we were leading at half-time, but the injuries cost us.

“It resulted in players having to play longer than they should. Fatigue set in and obviously ended in them breaking through. I haven’t got anything bad to say about my side’s performance, you can’t fault them for effort.”

Some of the game's casualties will need to be assessed ahead of Saturday. James Mountford may recover from a suspected concussion but Anthony Chilton is expected to be out for six weeks with a shoulder injury.

Yorkshire Men’s League strugglers New Earswick All Blacks travel to Lindley Swifts tomorrow while division one leaders Heworth host Oulton Raiders. Second-placed Queensbury will visit York Acorn ‘A’.