YORK Wasps winger Gavin Molloy finally broke his scoring duck yesterday but it did not override his disappointment as the Wasps remained win-less this season.

The 21-year-old got his first touchdown for the Huntington Stadium club in his tenth appearance but it proved in vain as the Wasps went on to lose 32-16 at Oldham.

"I thought we played well but we have to try to cut the mistakes out," he told the Evening Press.

"We had a good first half and a not bad second half but the mistakes cost us.

"However, the team is gelling together a lot more. It's getting better week by week."

Beverley-based Molloy, who played half a dozen times towards the end of last season and in all three previous games this term, got his try half an hour into yesterday's game.

"I've been waiting a long time to score and hopefully it will be the first of many," he added.

His touchdown, plus Jamie Benn's conversion, had given York a 10-8 lead against last season's play-off finalists, but Wasps' hopes of a first Northern Ford Premiership win since February last year were shattered as the Roughyeds hit back.

"The atmosphere between the players this year is a lot better than last year," said Molloy.

"The players are playing for each other and the coach and the club. We are improving and that win is just a game away.

"On the day I thought we were the better team but we've got to cut the mistakes out if we want to be up there with the best."

Coach Leo Epifania also stressed that it was mistakes that were costly. "Simple errors cost us a try before half-time and again after half-time," he said.

"Again we did a lot of things right but did not do them all game and a few errors at certain stages when we had them under pressure let them off the hook.

"If we take out those errors it would be a different story. Some mistakes are unacceptable and players can lose their positions if they're not cut out."

Epifania's team has improved greatly this season but the Australian says he will not be content until the victories start rolling in.

"We are not getting overwhelmed and there were a lot of positives," he said.

"People have to understand that after a season like last year you can't expect a team to come out and start beating everyone. Back in Sydney in the ARL, teams rebuild and it takes time.

"We've got a foot in the door and it's only a matter of time before we get another foot in the door and close the door behind us."

Updated: 12:20 Monday, January 07, 2002