HEWORTH were denied a 10th straight victory in the Kingstone Press National Conference League division three in dramatic fashion after a narrow 26-24 defeat to Drighlington.

Playing in a sweltering 28 degrees, both sides defied the heat to produce a grand-stand finale with Mike Sanderson’s goal being the crucial final kick of the game.

Drighlington began the stronger of the two teams and made their early pressure count at the midway point of the first half when centre Gary Smith found the try line and Sanderson the conversion.

The lead lasted just six minutes as Liam Jackson wrong-footed the defence with an excellent dummy before racing to the line. Ben Dyson-Dent added the extras to level the scores.

Late in the half, Smith put Heworth back ahead with his second try, this time unconverted.

But there was more late action as Dyson-Dent and James Morland combined to send Billy Sturdy over in the corner, leaving the scores at 10-10 at the interval.

The second period began in a similar fashion to the first with both sides cancelling each other out until a 58th-minute score.

Back-rower Liam Watling broke the line before exchanging passes with full-back George Elliott to ground.

The assister goaled and looked to have put the hosts in firm control when providing the attacking kick for Dyson-Dent to touch down and convert.

Drig though had other ideas and reduced the deficit when Gaz Nicholson crossed - Sanderson goaled - though soon after Dyson-Dent slotted a penalty goal to seemingly seal victory for the hosts.

However, a frantic final eight minutes saw Scott Gobin leave the Heworth lead at just four points and then at the last minute full-back Jake Dearden touched down on the right flank.

Sanderson stepped up and knocked over the towering touchline conversion to spark jubilant scenes and send Drighlington home with the spoils.