MILFORD Marlins fought off a fine effort by Heworth to take the points from their clash at Elm Park Way thanks to a 16-12 win.

The result keeps Milford in second spot in National Conference League division two, ahead of York Acorn on points difference, but the Villagers came mighty close to doing their cross-city rivals a favour in the promotion race.

They were twice deemed to be held up over the line - though on the second occasion appeared to have grounded the ball - and the normally reliable goalkicker, Dave Carling, missed four opportunities which would have turned defeat into victory.

"Nathan Witty went over in the corner on 78 minutes and said he got the ball down but the referee did not give it," said Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes.

"We were unlucky not to get something out of the game. We worked very hard and did well to overcome a 10-0 deficit to get so close."

The York side threw everything at their visitors in the last quarter, with player-coach Brendan Carlyle, Witty and Nikki Wilson all going close, but Milford held out.

The visitors' scrum-half, Marc Gibson, had given them the lead on nine minutes and hooker Jason Blakey added a second touchdown, with Gibson goaling, to make it 10-0 before Heworth hit back.

Steve Barnard notched a superb try to make it 10-4 but Carling was unable to add the extras.

Wilson cut the gap further after the break but Carling missed the goal again and then Chris Smith sprinted 70 metres for a crucial interception try which Gibson converted.

Barnard was held up over the line as Heworth fought back, before Mark Green cut the arrears with the hosts' third try.

That made it 16-12 but Carling again failed with the conversion and the decision which ruled out Witty's late try saw Milford hang on to claim the spoils.

Sykes added: "The interception try was a bit of a killer when we were coming back and looking to get on top, but even then we could have won it.

"For once Dave Carling was off form with his kicking.

"He's kicked well all season but it was not his day, nor ours.

"He was disappointed but that's how it happens sometimes. Next week he could win the game for us with his kicking.

"We haven't had much fortune against Milford - we got beat by one point last time we played them when they scored in the last minute -and we did not get the rub of the green here.

"We were as good as they were and deserved to get something out of it."

Heworth play Acorn in the Challenge Cup second round next week for a chance to face a professional club in round three, and Sykes added: "We are starting to find a bit of form at the moment and we were quite encouraged in terms of the way we played."

Updated: 12:06 Monday, December 10, 2001