A barrage from York Acorn proved in vain as the Blue and Golds lost an 18-16 thriller at National Conference League division two leaders Castleford Panthers.

The hosts, whose big wins in their three earlier games were against lowly opposition, needed to show plenty of steel to overcome the Blue and Golds, who for much of the game were the better team.

Acorn's preparations were hampered by late withdrawals due to work commitments and as expected the hosts came out with all guns blazing.

On 12 minutes the Panthers found space out wide and centre Paul Steel crashed over, Sean Wales goaling and then kicking a penalty.

Acorn, though, began to take control and on the half-hour quick hands saw winger Gary Isles storm over in the corner for a try which Lee Frank goaled.

Acorn began the second half strongly and a long pass by loose-forward Michael Embleton saw centre Gareth Lloyd give the scoring pass to left winger Nick Clark, Frank goaling.

The Blue and Golds could have increased their lead in similar fashion but this time Lloyd's pass went astray and, with Acorn unable to execute the killer blow, the Panthers levelled when a delightful chip by scrum-half Chris Hepworth was pounced on by prop Craig Potter.

The hosts got a controversial gamebreaker on 72 minutes when they apparently knocked on then held back the covering Isles to gain possession - with the referee awarding them a fresh set of six during which centre Peter Thornton crossed, Wales goaling.

Acorn fought back and on 77 minutes fluent passing saw Rian Calam go over in the corner. However, Frank missed the crucial conversion and the hosts held on.

Panthers are joined at the top by Heworth, who maintained their own 100 per cent record as two late tries secured a 24-10 victory over Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks.

The Villagers had gone to South Yorkshire as clear favourites but they came up against a battling home side who were only run out of it at the end.

Hawks started brightly and Heworth needed try-saving tackles from Carl Potter and full-back Gavin Grant to keep them out.

However, the visitors came back into it and paved the way for the victory as Lee Clarke crossed for a try and Potter, now the goalkicker in the wake of Dave Carling's broken leg, booted two goals.

Hawks hit back through a Jon Nicholls penalty but Potter replied in kind and Steve Barnard marked his return to the team with a touchdown four minutes from half-time to make it 14-2 at the interval.

The Hawks fought back after the break with a try by Dave Beeber and two more goals from Nicholls, and the game was in the balance until Jason Kane's powerful run saw him stretch out to score the crucial touchdown for the Villagers. Potter goaled and Will Neary made the game safe with another try just two minutes later.

Heworth had been indebted to excellent tackling from Liam Cochrane, Brendan Carlyle and Mark Green, while Alex Kinnon-month had a promising debut on the wing.

Spokesman Ken Sykes said: "We didn't play particularly well but were never behind and we finished it off well."

The annual general meeting of York and District Rugby League will be held tomorrow at St Clement's Club, York, starting at 7.30pm.

Representatives of all RL clubs in York are asked to attend.

Updated: 12:20 Monday, September 23, 2002