YORK Acorn have been cut adrift at the bottom of the National Conference League premier division after a 26-12 home defeat to Hunslet Club Parkside.

A sixth defeat from seven league matches, having drawn the other, leaves York still rooted to the foot of the amateur game's top-flight and now three points adrift of four clubs on four points.

Acorn's cause was hampered midway through the first half when Jordan Potter was sin-binned for dissent.

Hunslet took full advantage through tries from Ben Shulver and Craig McShane, both of which were converted by Danny Rowse.

Acorn hit back in a five-minute spell either side of half time, as Lewis Lord and Tim Stubbs crossed the whitewash and Antony Chilton twice was on target from the kicking tee.

Parkside found a second wind though and a Kieran Webster score on the hour and a late Jack McShane touchdown put the game beyond the hosts.

Rowse finished with five goals in total, twice converting the Hunslet second-half tries and also adding a penalty goal.

Josh Mortimer's side are back on the road on Saturday as they visit reigning NCL champions Thatto Heath Crusaders (2.30pm).

Meanwhile, in division two, Heworth remain hot on the heels of leaders Crosfields, thanks to a 40-18 away win at Normanton Knights.

A four-try haul from winger Billy Sturdy led the Heworth victory which keeps them two points behind the table-toppers, with a game in hand.

Sturdy got the scoring underway from a pinpoint Danny Allan kick before Normanton's Liam Sheridan equalised.

The Villagers then showed their class to move 20-4 in front by half time. Allan darted through a dummy half gap before George Elliott hit the first of four conversions.

Second-row Liam Watling put Sturdy in for his second before Fraser West rounded off the first-half scoring.

The visitors picked up from where they left off after the restart, with Leon Watkinson dotting down Allan's kick and Sturdy then sealing his hat-trick in the right corner.

Heworth's Adam Dent scored the try of the match as the winger finished off a superb full width-of-the-field play.

Normanton battled on to their credit, scoring thrice in the second half through Connor Wilson and Charlie Barker (2), who also posted a solitary goal.

An 80-metre intercept try from Sturdy allowed Heworth to reach 40 points by the finish.

A trip to fifth-placed Clock Face Miners is next for Heworth on Saturday (2.30pm).

Elsewhere, New Earswick All Blacks suffered a 40-16 defeat to unbeaten Yorkshire Mens League premier division leaders Doncaster Toll Bar.

New Earswick head to Sharlston Rovers in the YML Cup on Saturday (2.30pm).