YORK lost their home Powergen North 2 East League game against Middlesbrough 18-6.

The Clifton Parkers have had bad luck with injuries this season, losing key players skipper Pete Curtis, fly-half Mark Roberts and centre Nathan McBride for most of the season.

On Saturday they had additional self-inflicted problems with a number of players preferring Murrayfield to Clifton Park.

That looks a good decision on aesthetic grounds but doesn't indicate the commitment required to lift the club out of the relegation zone.

To ensure stability in the tight, York were obliged to pull prop Nick Hare out of retirement for the fifth time in as many seasons. He lasted the match which was a testimony to his skill and technique.

Through the first half York looked more like championship contenders than their second-placed opponents.

The York forwards controlled the ball well, possession was retained and the ball moved well among the backs with Mike Ford, moved up from full-back to fly-half, enjoying a good game. His replacement at full-back, centre Johan Koekemoer, not totally comfortable at the rear, made some effective intrusions in to the line.

After 30 minutes York went ahead when No 9 Ian Davies broke, flanker Andy Kay taking the ball on. Play was switched to the right and back to the visitors' posts where they conceded a penalty which Ford converted.

After good work by James Arkle and Rob Taylor, Middlesbrough were caught offside and Ford kicked York in to a six-point half-time lead.

Boro scrum half Peter Wright took an increasing hold on the game in the second half and after his deep kick in to York's 22, the hosts were penalised and Alistair Little's penalty reduced the arrears.

Ten minutes later York were caught asleep at another penalty. They expected a goal kick but Wright slung the ball wide for left winger Andy Micklewright to scamper in.

Ill-placed kicks by James Arkle and Koekemoer then conceded possession to the Teessiders, Wright broke clear to put captain Gavin Kingland in for an unconverted try.

York 13-6 down, York needed the next score but a weak clearing kick enabled Boro's Steve Moor to bring the ball forward and Wright stole away down the blind side, chipped ahead and recovered to score.

York did not give up and Davies and student Jon Kemp had runs but the Middlesbrough defence held well.

York now have to win two of their remaining fixtures and next week's visit to Horden, three points ahead of York, will be crucial to a campaign that has seemed increasingly doomed in recent weeks.

Updated: 11:55 Monday, February 23, 2004