If you managed to have any fingernails left after England's magnificent performance against Australia earlier in the day spare a thought for the Malton supporters.

They travelled to Halifax to undergo the same torture for the second time in one day - Malton's winning 19-16 score coming with only seconds left on the clock.

The postage stamp-size pitch was far from Malton's liking but they started with a bang, denying Old Crossleyans any worthwhile possession and dominating territorial advantage for much of the opening quarter.

Phil Ryan and Liam Vaughan were prominent in several ground-gaining forays by the pack and the game seemed to be in control until possession was ceded to the hosts.

The ball was whipped along the threequarter line and, assisted by poor Malton defensive work, the Halifax left wing was able to slide over in the corner for the opening score.

Malton kept battling and, in an error-strewn game, were always likely to get a penalty decision or two.

Ian Cooke coolly reduced the lead with the first of his four penalty attempts.

The visitors' tail was still up and with pressure being applied Cooke added to his penalty tally to put his side in front.

Malton then seemed to drift into another world for a brief period during which they again allowed Crossleyans far too much room on the outside and paid the penalty when they scored their second try of the game.

The conversion was unsuccessful but a penalty shortly afterwards was easily converted to give Crossleyans a seven-point lead.

On the stroke of half time Malton countered when Cooke added his third penalty to bring his side within four points.

The second half saw Malton still making too many errors in the early stages and, despite having the bulk of territorial advantage, they too often conceded either ground or ball.

Having missed enough penalty attempts to put his side in the clear by some considerable margin, the Crossleyans' fly half, Jamie Grayshon, extended the lead with a successful effort which stirred Malton.

The visitors returned to a more passionate show as Duncan Foster and Andy Mitchell won the line outs and several good forward drives were set up to show what could be done.

From the hour mark Malton were camped in the home half and, with ten minutes left, were awarded a penalty which Cooke again slotted over. Back they came and in the final minute a maul was set up 15 metres from the Crossleyans' line.

Showing great ball control the pack edged ever closer to the whitewash. Jon Newsome took over the role of general at the back and Chris Creber added his bit for the final surge to the line for Newsome to get the touch down and a one-point lead.

The Malton supporters went delirious and Cooke added the conversion. There was just time for the restart before the final whistle sounded and Malton had gained a 19-16 victory at a place where no-one had triumphed for two years.

The win keeps Malt in second place in Yorkshire One, trailing Pontefract by one point, but with a five-point advantage over the third-placed side.

Updated: 13:05 Monday, November 24, 2003