York Acorn gained their expected National Conference League division two double over visiting Dewsbury Moor when edging the match 27-22 to stay in promotion contention.

However, it was not a good display by the Blue and Golds and, although they deserved the win, it was disjointed and lacked the usual cohesion, especially with ball in hand. In the end they had to hang on for the points.

Dewsbury started brightly but were stopped in their tracks on five minutes when a break by centre Steven Irving gained Acorn a foothold deep in the Moor half and two minutes later a quick tap by stand-off Danny Liddell released scrum-half Johnny Waldron, who galloped in from 15 yards.

Winger Brundett added the extras, a feat he repeated two minutes later after a powerhouse try by prop Paul Dodsworth, who capitalised on a great pass by Liddell.

Acorn were hit with a wake-up call on 24 minutes when, from a scrum heel 30 yards out, Dewsbury centre Andy Robinson cut through for a soft try which he himself converted.

A minute later, Liddell put over a field goal, and then man of the match centre Michael Embleton got the first of his two tries.

Brundett's conversion saw Acorn go in at the break 19-6 up.

Poor tackling on the restart saw Acorn concede a soft try from Dewsbury scrum-half Dave Whittaker, who went in between three would-be tacklers, Robinson once again goaling.

On 54 minutes, Embleton grabbed his second try and when Irving squeezed in at the corner six minutes later Acorn were 27-12 to the good.

A battling Dewsbury side refused to buckle and it was they who finished the stronger to score two more tries.

Left-winger Steve McNamara got the first following an excellent 50-yard run by stand-off Julian Yarrow, and centre Dean Wallace got the second, Robinson goaling to complete the scoring.

In a lacklustre showing, Acorn were indebted to the performances of Embleton, second rower Dave Norman, Dodsworth and Liddell.

Updated: 12:22 Monday, November 12, 2001