York Acorn reached the second round of the Challenge Cup by virtue of a nail-biting 34-32 home victory over fellow National Conference League division two side Dewsbury Moor.

The win was secured by a 78th-minute penalty from hooker Lee Frank after their visitors had threatened to pull off the fight-back of all fight-backs having trailed 32-8 at half-time.

Acorn's first-half display was as good as their second-half showing was poor and this Jeykll and Hyde performance was something their regular supporters have had become accustomed to in recent weeks.

Moor made a good start and took the lead on four minutes when impressive scrum-half Joe Dickinson nipped over from acting half for a try goaled by second-rower Andy Robinson.

However, Acorn dominated the rest of the half, beginning on ten minutes with a try from acting half secured by Frank.

Acorn soon moved in front, when on 14 minutes a barnstorming run and off-load by prop Paul Dodsworth saw linking full-back Andy Lee score his side's second unconverted try of the game.

Minutes later Acorn were over the whitewash again, when winger Tim Wilcock returned a Moor kick with interest, cutting through the defence and sprinting nearly 70 yards before putting stand-off Danny Liddell in for a try Frank goaled.

On 24 minutes, Dodsworth stormed over from close range for another try goaled by Frank, and five minutes later champagne-style rugby involving Mick McTigue, Johnny Waldron, Dodsworth and Andy Lee ended with Liddell crossing for his second of the game.

Frank converted and Acorn and things improved yet further on 34 minutes when Dodsworth crashed over for his second try.

Frank added the extras to put Acorn into a seemingly impregnable 32-6 lead and even when Moor kicked a 39th-minute penalty from Robinson there only looked one likely outcome. However, after the break Acorn fell apart.

Tries by prop Johnny Raithby (57 mins), winger Steve McNamara (62 mins), loose forward Ashley Fortis (66 mins) and Dickinson (73 mins) to go with three more Robinson goals and two Dickinson field goals saw the visitors draw level at 32 apiece with extra-time looming.

Fortunately for Acorn their blushes were spared by that late Frank penalty. Top performers for the hosts were Dodsworth for his first-half showing, and McTigue.