Just as both sets of supporters were resigned to the spoils being shared with a penalty goal apiece, and heading for the bar, York lost possession after a period of pressure in the Old Crossleyans 22.

The Old Boys' scrum half, Simeon Hinchliffe, cleared with a kick up to the York 22. His forwards rewarded him by gaining possession at the subsequent line-out and a position was set up in front of the posts for fly-half Chris Seymour to drop a goal clean and high through the cent of the posts to earn a vital 6-3 advantage.

York had only a couple of minutes injury time to redress the balance but they looked no more likely to score a match-winning try than had either team for the preceding eight minutes.

York had started quite brightly in a first quarter of fluctuating fortune but, whenever York threatened their opponents' line, they conceded possession by loose handling, off-side or illegal infringements.

After 10 minutes, No 8 Andy Proctor stole away to set up York's smartest move with Jim Hawcutt and Nathan Harding in support as the ball was recycled for centre Stewart Davies to break deep into Crossleyans half.

However, the Halifax side recovered possession as Hinchliffe led them back to the York 22 where a maul infringement conceded a penalty, which centre Gareth Ott converted with ease.

Crossleyans began to look threatening as they threw the ball around with almost irresponsible abandon considering the wet conditions.

Their prospects looked stronger as York suffered a blow when, after half an hour, Proctor was carried off with a torn knee ligament to be replaced by Andy Kay.

Nevertheless, York finished the half strongly as forwards Matt Halifax and Rob Allen combined for Allen to put his outsides on the attack and Simon Bullough's chip took York in to a scoring position.

York started the second session with confidence as the wind and slope favoured them.

Scrum half Craig Ventress chipped into the Crossleyans 22 and Davies burst through to gain a penalty for offside which Ventress converted to put York on level terms within five minutes.

York's scrum had developed almost total mastery over their very light opponents and Allen won several balls against the head which the half backs used to give York a distinct territorial supremacy.

However, their ball distribution was too slow to discomfort Crossleyans' aggressive defence and the situation cried out for a general to disrupt the pattern of play and force their opponents to play with the ball behind them.

As it was, kicks were often too long enabling Seymour's trusty boot to save his side repeatedly before delivering the final coup de grace that gave his side victory they scarcely expected but possibly deserved if only for the excellence of execution of that winning drop goal.