York Wasps Academy prop forward Tom Lyons is being detained in a Cumbrian hospital after suffering a serious injury during the 34-18 defeat at Workington Town on Sunday.

It was feared Lyons, who also plays for Acorn under-16s, had broken his neck when he was on the receiving end of an alleged high tackle two minutes into stoppage time.

Paramedics spent ten minutes attending to him on the pitch before he was taken to West Cumbria hospital.

It has since emerged the injury was not as bad as first suspected although he has suffered severe bruising to his spinal chord and is expected to stay in hospital at least until the weekend.

The player who committed the tackle, a substitute forward, was sent off and will now face a disciplinary hearing.

Wasps Academy coach Martin Flynn said: "We're just thankful because when we saw Tom lying on the pitch and when he was taken to hospital we thought it was a lot worse. It's a good job he's a big strong kid."

The alleged spoiling tactics also led to the dismissal of Wasps prop Nic Caldwell ten minutes from time after he threw a punch in frustration.

Workington stormed into a 14-0 lead after 18 minutes before the Wasps hit back to edge 18-14 ahead early in the second half.

But it all fell apart for the Wasps, who were missing regular full-back Kyle Wood with travel sickness, when Workington ran in two tries which appeared to result from a knock-on and forward pass.

York's tries came from Nic Caldwell, Chris Spain and Chris Keld while Paul Flynn kicked two conversions and a penalty.

The Academy are next in action at home to Oldham on Sunday (kick-off 12pm) in a curtain raiser to York's clash with Widnes.