POCKLINGTON RUFC gave it their all away to Morpeth and came close to snatching a result - but it was not to be as they fell 16-10 to remain in trouble in North One East.

Morpeth is traditionally one of the most difficult places on the circuit to get a result, and they are riding high in the table too.

But Pocklington - despite making their longest journey of the campaign and having to make a series of late changes - nearly upset the formbook as they pounded at the home line throughout the closing minutes only to come up just short.

The result left them third bottom and desperate for victory at home to second-bottom West Leeds on Saturday.

Pock brought in Colts player Alex Todd for his senior team debut and had Joe Brown and Marcus Britland in the squad for the first time this season.

Nevertheless they went straight onto the attack and Christian Pollock gave them the lead with a second-minute penalty.

Morpeth missed an immediate penalty chance to equalise, but they kept the position and spread the ball wide to cross at the right flag and take the lead.

The ease of the home score was worrying for Pocklington but they regrouped, tightened up their tackling and spent most of the next quarter on the offensive.

However, though they enjoyed the majority of possession, they shot themselves in the foot with a series of unforced errors, including being turned over at three attacking lineouts.

In contrast, though Morpeth were on the back foot, they made fewer mistakes and gained a series of penalties, kicking one from two attempts to lead 8-3 at the break.

Pocklington opened the second half with some strong carries but Morpeth took play to the other end and crashed over from close range to extend their lead.

The fates then went against the visitors as another reshuffle was needed after James Thompson was taken out off the ball. The Pock scrum then drove the home eight back at speed only for Morpeth to come away with the ball and set up the position to kick another penalty goal for 16-3.

Having gone two scores behind, Pocklington started to play their best rugby and dominated the final quarter.

Joe Holbrough, now at fly-half for the injured Thompson, made a midfield break and fed skipper Archie Fothergill, who showed a good turn of speed to gallop 30 yards to the side of the posts, Pollock converting.

Pock spent the closing minutes probing and battering through forwards and backs in search of a last-gasp winning score.

But Morpeth dug deep, stole a couple of crucial turnovers on their own line, and hung on to take the result, leaving the visitors with just a single losing bonus point to show for their efforts and endeavours.

Meanwhile, in Yorkshire One, Selby fell 24-14 at Pontefract, who now sit fourth in the table.

Selby, who are 10th, will be looking to end their three-match losing run when they entertain bottom-placed Old Rishworthians on Saturday.