A CONTROVERSIAL penalty denied Heworth the National Conference League division two spoils at Elm Park Way as Crosfields left with a 12-11 win.

The game between two promotion-chasers was a thriller and kept the crowd entertained right up to the death.

However, that will be of little consolation to the Villagers, who could not close the one-point gap after seeing James Williams kick the vital goal for the Warrington side.

The hosts had been penalised for being offside but felt their players could not have avoided an attempted clearing kick, and that a scrum for accidental offside rather than a penalty should have been awarded.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes said: "It was very disappointing that something like that spoiled such an excellent game.

"We had the game won and it was a bad decision that cost us. I know that sounds a bit like sour grapes but that's how it was. It was an honest mistake by the referee, but it was disappointing when we had worked so hard against one of the better sides in the division."

He added: "I suppose that's how the game goes. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes against you."

Two Dave Carling penalties had given Heworth the early lead before Crosfields winger Billy Rowan raced in at the corner on 25 minutes to level matters.

Three minutes later the Villagers were back in front when centre Nikki Wilson went over in the corner after being set up by the impressive Brendan Carlyle, Steve Barnard and Dan Briggs.

Carling added the extras to make it 10-4 at the interval.

Crosfields came out strongly in the second half, with loose forward Peter Cannon particularly prominent. And they were soon back on level terms as Andy Pucill took a quick tap and crashed over for a touchdown goaled by Williams.

Hooker Mick Harrison notched a field goal to give Heworth the slender lead but then that aforementioned penalty gave the advantage to the visitors, which they kept despite late field goal attempts by Carling and Harrison.

Updated: 12:17 Monday, October 22, 2001