An opening spell of dire defence cost York Wasps any hope of ending Oldham's winning at Boundary Park.

The Wasps tackling was non-existent as Oldham, who went into the game on the back of five successive wins, ran in three tries in the first 20 minutes, all down York's left side, to establish a 12 point lead.

Even though York made a valiant second half comeback from 24-4 to 30-18 the damage had been done, and two Oldham tries in the last two minutes resulted in another heavy defeat.

The scoreline did flatter the home side somewhat, but York cannot expect to win matches against teams of Oldham's quality with such awful defence.

Oldham exploited the poor tackling of centre Kevin Gray and full-back John McCracken to the full in that opening period, particularly second rower Phil Farrell, brother of Wigan star Andy.

He was involved in the build-up to the first three of Oldham's tries which eventually resulted in the substitution of Gray.

The introduction of Welshman Max Ryce on the left wing, with Andy Preston switching to the left centre from the right, did tighten up the weak link but by then it was a matter of damage limitation.

York's cause was not helped by a 13-4 penalty count in Oldham's favour. Incredibly the Wasps were not awarded a penalty until the 32nd minute and it resulted in their only try of the first half.

Cain's touch kick took play 10 metres from the Oldham line and the ball was moved swiftly across the line to McCracken who pushed off Anthony Gibbons to score in the corner.

York couldn't have got off to a worse start when Spencer Hargrave knocked-on in the second tackle from the kick-off and Oldham centre Anthony Gibbons scored from the resulting scrum.

Winger Joey Hayes was the next to benefit from Gray and McCracken's failure to tackle which was soon followed by a try for full-back Mark Sibson, again down York's left.

At least Oldham goal kicker Pat Rich was having an off day as he missed all three conversions, plus a penalty, to keep York in the hunt.

After that opening blitz York finally began to make inroads into the Oldham defence and they enjoyed a good passage of play. Gareth Dobson was stopped five yards short then Mark Cain, Chris Judge, Alan Pallister and Paul Darley were all involved in a stylish move which started in their own half and ended just short of the Oldham line.

It was short-lived though, and Oldham went further ahead on the half hour with a converted try by Sibson, McCracken again attempting a half-hearted tackle.

At 18-0 McCracken's try made little impact on Oldham's lead and they extended it further with a well-worked try, Shayne McMenemy drawing McCracken and turning the ball inside to give loose forward Mark Campbell a clear run to the line.

York looked a different team in the second half and they began to force uncharacteristic mistakes in the Oldham ranks.

Darley's high kick was fumbled by two Oldham players and collected by Ryce who powered away to the corner and held off three tacklers to touch down.

Though Farrell added another try for Oldham to make it 30-8, York hauled themselves back into contention with substitute Craig Robinson bringing a new dimension to the attack.

McCracken raced onto Darley's pass at the angle for a well taken second try and Cain converted superbly from wide out.

Robinson looked to be on the way for his first York try when he showed a tremendous turn of pace to split the Oldham defence on a 50 metre run only to be tackled just short.

York were soon on the score-sheet again, this time in the form of Gray who had returned to the field in place of Leroy McKenzie. Judge pounced on a loose ball 30 metres out and, as the defence moved across to cover, he found Gray in support who handed off Sibson to touch down.

Cain's conversion brought York to within 12 points and, with 15 minutes left, the scene was set for a fairytale finish.

But despite intense pressure York couldn't breach the defence and in the last two minutes they succumbed to further tries by Hayes and Anthony Gibbons.

An unjust end, but at least their second half display will have given York belief that the rest of May can be more profitable.

Northern Ford Premiership Monday, May 1 at Boundary Park

Oldham 40, York Wasps 18

YORK WASPS: John McCracken 6, Leroy McKenzie 6, Andy Preston 7, Kevin Gray 5, Matt Woodcock 6, Mark Cain 7, Gareth Dobson 6, Craig Forsyth 7, Alan Pallister 7, Steve Hill 6, Chris Judge 7, Spencer Hargrave 6, Paul Darley 7.

Subs: Craig Robinson (Preston 52mins) 7, Lea Tichener (Hill 40) 7, Max Ryce (Gray 16) 6, Mick Hagan (Hargrave) 7. Re-subs: Gray for McKenzie 60, Hill for Forsyth 74.

Tries: McCracken (32, 56), Ryce (45), Gray (65).

Conversions: Cain 1.

Guildford Construction/ Evening Press Man of the Match

Mark Cain: Quiet in the first half but was major factor in second half revival. Caught the eye with creativity and constant probing

OLDHAM: Mark Sibson, Joey Hayes, Anthony Gibbons, Pat Rich, Warren Barrow, Dave Gibbons, Neil Roden, Leo Casey, John Hough, Jason Clegg, Phil Farrell, Shayne McMenemy, Mark Campbell.

Subs: Kevin Mannion (for Clegg 27), Andy Proctor (Casey 25), Ian Sinfield (Farrell 56), Wes Rogers (McMenemy 56).

Re-subs: Casey for Proctor 59, Clegg for Campbell 70.

Tries: A Gibbons (1, 80), Hayes (8, 79), Sibson (17, 30), Campbell (38), Farrell (52).

Conversions: Rich 4

Oldham York

Penalties 13 4

Scrums won: 7 3

40/20 kicks: 0 0

Half-time: 24 4

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield)

Attendance: 1, 852

Match rating: 8/10

York's next match: versus Whitehaven at the Recreation Ground in the Northern Ford Premiership on Sunday, May 7, kick-off 3.30pm