Malton and Norton secured their amazing third successive promotion before their loyal supporters, but it was not without drama and a large slice of luck that the 20-19 win over Old Brodleians was achieved.

The home side opened well enough with a try in the fourth minute. Good driving play from the forwards set up a good position on the right to create an overlap which Ian Cooke took full advantage of to score in the corner.

But nerves appeared to creep into the Malton game. Needless penalties were conceded and with a goal kicker of the calibre of visiting fly half Rob Pentelow in their ranks Old Brods took full advantage and soon reduced the lead.

Worse was to follow for Malton when they were reduced to 13 men when James McKay and Liam Vaughan were both sin-binned along with an Old Brods' forward after a bout of ill-discipline. The resultant penalty gave Brods the lead they just about deserved.

It was to the credit of those left on the field that they prevented any further scores with reduced numbers.

Once restored to full strength Malton, with McKay at his most dangerous, made numerous inroads into the visitors' defence. But the hosts were thwarted by either handling errors or good defence and went into the break still trailing.

After half-time the jitters were still there and Brods went further ahead from another Pentelow penalty before Chris Creber finally sprung his side into action.

After the pack gained a good position 20 metres out Creber saw a gap and burst through to score a trade-mark individual try to ease the pressure.

The Malton lineout was functioning perfectly with Duncan Foster and Richard Webster securing frequent good possession and those around them produced some classic driving mauls.

There was little Brods could do legally and after yet another drive had been illegally stopped Ian Cooke gave Malton some breathing space with a successful penalty.

Old Brods, involved in a relegation battle, refused to buckle. Back they came with Pentelow kicking for position with great accuracy. The reward was a try for scrum half Steve Shaw for the lead to change hands yet again.

Back came Malton with another good break from Creber which was carried on by McKay and Liam Cowton and finally found Tom Stephenson on the left wing who crossed from ten yards out, although the final pass appeared to be slightly forward.

Malton again had the lead and when Cooke added the conversion from the touchline the roar could be heard in Malton market-place.

With the clock now into injury time victory looked certain but still Old Brods fought back.

In attempting to run the ball from defence, instead of clearing their lines, Malton were adjudged to have obstructed a tackler.

From the quickly taken penalty Brods got the ball out wide to second row forward Jeff Sutherland who crashed over to put his side just one point behind with the conversion to come.

The entire ground fell silent as Pentelow lined up his kick. A great sigh of relief then sounded as the kick fell short and wide and the final whistle was blown.

Malton, despite giving one of their poorest performances of the season, had gained promotion and the celebrations started.

Updated: 11:00 Monday, March 15, 2004