York Wasps Academygave their worst performance of the season in losing 17-14 to Gateshead.

Gateshead took the lead after only six minutes, a simple passing move finding the York defence slow to cover and leeting the home team in at the corner for an unconverted try.

Indiscipline cost York after 18 minutes when they disputed a decision by the referee Stuart Lee too vigourously and Gateshead kicked a penalty.

York were ruffled by decisions going against them and Gateshead went over for a second try on 20 minutes.

York steadied and although their rhythm was ruined by forward pass rulings, after 32 minutes the Wasps completed just their second set of six when powerhouse prop Nick Caldwell crashed over for a try.

More indiscipline when York questioned a knock-on decision led to back to back penaltie and from being five metres from the Thunder line York found themselves defending their own "10" and Gateshead extended their lead to 14-4.

The young Wasps hit back with an Andy Gargan try and conversion after good approach work by the pack. York allowed the restart to bounce dead, forcing a goal line drop-out.

Gateshead kicked a penalty in front of the posts

York were at last fired up and their man of the match Caldwell scored his second try to make it 16-14.

Caldwell made a 50 metres break before being tackled five metres short of the line. He off-loaded to Boothroyd, who was hauled down.

Quick passing by York created a four-man overlap and anyone could have walked over the line for a try but the final pass was dropped.

On their next attack Gateshead dropped a goal to stretch the lead to three points with four minutes to play.