POCKLINGTON RUFC were left conflicted at the full-time whistle as Bradford & Bingley clawed back a 12-point deficit to level - before missing the last-gasp conversion.

It finished 29-29 at Percy Road, with the three points earned lifting Pock into ninth in North One East, ahead of near rivals York.

And at the start of the day, Pocklington - who had to field a much-changed side - would likely have taken three points but, having led with eight minutes to go, they will be disappointed to have again let an opposition off the hook at the death, yet relieved to have seen Bradford's otherwise outstanding goal-kicker attempt off-target.

This coming Saturday, Pocklington visit top-of-the-table Scarborough, who have lost only once in their last 10 - a run that culminated in the weekend's 29-20 win at York.

Bradford & Bingley were the first to show in the contest, but Pocklington quickly turned the tables and smashed their way up to the visiting line after a quick tap, with fly half James Thompson burrowing in for the unconverted try.

The visitors came back and, after ratcheting up the pressure, a long pass got their wing in at the flag and a touchline conversion followed to make it 7-5.

But Joe Holbrough regained the lead for Pocklington almost immediately after a lineout was scrambled back into midfield for the centre to power over at the side of the posts. Christian Pollock converted.

Holbrough and Ben Rees were prominent as Pocklington remained on the offensive, but they again lost possession in sight of the line, letting Bradford break out to kick a penalty and close the gap to three points at the interval.

And Pocklington extended their lead in the 48th minute. Pollock broke from his own territory, chipped ahead and, in a flurry of action under the posts, a Pock touchdown was disallowed as the referee ruled both sides had knocked on in the build-up. The consequent scrum, however, wheeled right and Britland strolled over unopposed, with Pollock converting.

Following an adjudged high tackle around halfway, Pock had another man sin-binned and Bradford made the most of their extra man to cross at the side of the posts and convert.

Pocklington forced Bradford backwards from the restart and Pollock notched a straightforward penalty before scrum-half Rees sliced through for the bonus-point try and for Pollock to convert to give the hosts their biggest lead of the game.

But it unravelled as Bradford threw everything at a late rally and, when Pocklington sustained another yellow carded for killing the ball, Bradford took full advantage to score in the corner and add a remarkable conversion into the wind from the touchline.

As play went into added time, Pock were penalised in the shadow of the visiting posts and a Bradford tap-and-go took them up for the equalising try.