New Earswick All Blacks face possibly the most important game of their season tonight when they travel to bottom club Dewsbury Moor in the National Conference League second division.

The revised league table, following the withdrawal of London Skolars and Blackbrook, sees Dewsbury Moor at the bottom with 11 points and the All Blacks one place and one point above them.

Dewsbury were the worst hit by the two clubs' withdrawal, losing a massive six points to leave them adrift at the bottom.

Half the remaining teams could now mathematically be drawn into the re-election zone, although Dewsbury and New Earswick, who both have just three games left, face the stiffest task.

York Acorn, with two games remaining, are four points clear so should be safe.

However, they entertain third from bottom Milford Marlins at Thanet Road tonight (7pm) knowing that defeat could leave them facing a nail-biting climax to the league campaign.

On the other hand victory would make certain of their place in the NCL for another season.

Tonight's game is Acorn's final home match of the season - their last game is at Crosfields next month.

Half-back Johnny Waldron faces a late fitness test after damaging an ankle in the defeat at Normanton last week.

Fellow half-back Danny Liddell is another doubt. He suffered a recurrence of a hamstring strain at Normanton and is rated "extremely doubtful."

There could be a return for Michael Embleton who has been impressing for the A-team in recent weeks. He has been out for several weeks with a leg injury.

Updated: 12:44 Tuesday, April 17, 2001