SUBSTITUTE forward Paul Payne was the York Acorn hero as he helped inspire his side to a comeback victory to deny derby rivals Heworth.

The Villagers looked to be on their way to a rare Arriva Trains Conference Second Division victory at Elm Park Way when they led 14-0.

Heworth, having won at Thanet Road earlier in the season, looked to be on their way to a double when they raced in to a commanding lead.

Former York player Brendan Carlyle was inspirational early on with his kicking game clicking in to action.

After eight minutes a kick through was poorly defended by Acorn and centre Jonathan Jewitt was on hand to scoop up the ball and race in for an unconverted try.

After quarter of an hour Carlyle produced a piece of pure magic to chip and regarther before off-loading expertly to the supporting Jewitt, who crossed for his second score.

Carlyle added the extras and Heworth pulled further ahead five minutes later when another kick through was picked up by winger Gavin Grant out wide whose try made it 14-0.

It was the introduction of subs Payne and Nicky Caldwell to the Acorn pack which turned the tide towards the Blue and Golds.

It produced immediate results when man of the match Payne stormed over for a Kev Brundrett goaled try just three minutes after coming on.

Ten minutes later and Payne got in on the act again when he smashed through for his second try. Brundrett goaled again to bring the visitors within two points of Heworth.

On th stroke of half time Acorn's loose forward Danny Liddell cut in to space on the half way line and weaved his way through static Heworth tacklers before scorching over for a great solo try. Brundrett tagged on the extras to give Acorn an 18-14 lead.

Both defences tighted up in the second period with Acorn generally having the upper hand but a combination of forced passes and some fine scrambling defence kept Acorn out.

Heworth substitute Carl Potter and Brundrett traded penalties until the 68th minute when Acorn stand-off Jon Waldron sent out a long range pass to substitute winger Shaun Gilmoor who went over from ten yards. Brundrett's kicked missed but Acorn had a decisive eight-point lead.

Payne was denied a hat-trick when he was adjudged not to have grounded the ball properly.

The victory was Acorn's first at Heworth in the NCL.

Updated: 10:25 Monday, April 12, 2004