Touchdown: A delighted Andy Mercer scores a try in the 24-2 win over Beverley East Hull and moves to within a century of tries in the National Conference League.

Beverley arrived with just one point from 19 league games - gained from a draw with Askam last week - and went home empty handed as Heworth collected a vital victory which eases their own relegation worries.

Just one more win should secure the Black and Whites place in the top flight next season.

But they will need to improve on a scrappy display in which they fell behind to a penalty by stand-off Glyn Martin after the home side were caught offside in the 13th minute.

But Heworth got their noses in front when Andy Mercer received the ball from Anthony Howcroft and powered over the line for his 98th NCL try.

It was a key score as it broke the young Beverley side's spirit and Heworth began to play with more confidence in the second half.

Chris Loftus lost the ball as he seemed certain to add Heworth's second try and just before the interval Heworth's Chris Hammerton and Beverley's Keyworth were sin-binned.

Substitute Steve Barnard came on to good effect and seven minutes after the interval dummied his way over from 25 yards and Carl Potter added the extras to put the Villagers 10-2 up.

Finally the home side were able to relax and just after an hour Mark Cregan cut the Beverley defence open and sent Andy Clarke in for the first of two tries inside two minutes.

Cregan then had a try disallowed for a double movement as Heworth finished in style with Potter crossing for the final try which he goaled himself.

Heworth are now six points clear of second to bottom Wigan St Patrick's, who have two matches in hand.

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