York had victory in their grasp until the last few minutes when Old Crossleyans equalised to draw the North East Division Two encounter 15-15.

The failure of hosts York to win was one of management rather than play. Firstly, there was no evidence that their goal kicking problem had been addressed. They dithered between missing and passing up kickable penalties until late in the second half former captain Nigel Durham commandeered the kicking role.

Secondly, when injury forced full-back Tom Copeland to retire at half time, Durham replaced him, giving Durham's scrum-half spot to James Arkle.

There seemed every case for minimal disruption to a winning combination, but the upshot was that York faltered allowing Crossleyans to make a spirited rally to secure a deserved share of the spoils.

York soon began to put their stamp on the game as they took both line-out and scrum ball off their opponents.

Their old failing of limiting their momentum by losing possession still lingered but they had their opponents rattled.

Centre Andy Hurst made progress down the middle and on the half hour, Copeland broke down the right off a long Mulder pass.

This led to a scrum at which York shaped to go right but Durham stole down the left and slipped the ball to flanker Jim Hawcutt who romped 25 metres to score under the posts. Copeland converted.

This reverse stirred Crossleyans to respond by releasing their pacy outsides and full-back Chris Seymour went over in the corner for an unconverted try.

In the closing minutes of the half, York re-established their lead, Durham dragging the opposition defence wide leaving Smart to force his way over wide out for an unconverted try.

Five minutes into the second-half Crossleyans conceded a penalty in front of the posts but Mulder missed.

York were now conceding their own ball at set pieces and fly-half Sean Bass sent over one of two penalties to narrow the deficit.

Entering the final quarter, York broke out to the Crox 22 and Durham delivered the points from a penalty.

It was now all defence for York, but with three minutes left they cracked at a tap penalty. Jowett converted to level.

York launched a final attack and earned a long-range penalty, which would have sealed a morale-boosting win. Durham had the length and height but was just wide.

Updated: 12:13 Monday, January 29, 2001