FORMER York City Knights winger Ben Dent switched codes to make his York RUFC debut - with his new team drawing 16-16 with North One East title rivals Morpeth at Clifton Park.

York, with their injury-hit squad stretched to the limit, started the day in second place on points-difference behind Morpeth, and slipped to fourth after this result, with Scarborough and Huddersfield YMCA going first and second.

With only eight points now separating the top seven teams, York go to second-bottom West Leeds on Saturday looking to rediscover winning ways after only one victory in their last four outings.

Teenager Harry Jinks made his league debut on the wing against Morpeth, with new signing Dent - who played in Betfred League One last season for Newcastle Thunder - on the other flank. Returning prop Will Norris started on the bench.

On a perfect day for rugby, a close encounter was expected - and materialised.

York kicked off into the breeze. Both teams enjoyed periods of possession, threatening each other’s line, but defences remained on top, aided by one or two missed opportunities, as the scores stayed blank after 20 minutes.

Finally York managed to put some good phases of play together and, after 10 minutes of pressure, the visitors conceded a penalty which Jon Dawes goaled for a 3-0 lead.

It was now Morpeth’s turn to control the ball with York conceding a string of penalties in midfield, visiting fly-half Ben Hornby making good ground with his touch kicks.

Hornby pulled one shot at goal wide but made no mistake with his next chance to level the scores.

York went straight back on the attack and were soon awarded another penalty 30 metres out which Dawes converted for a 6-3 lead.

Morpeth spent the final five minutes of the first half camped on the York line, but excellent defence kept them at bay, with Campbell Thomson securing a superb turnover three metres out to end the half three minutes into overtime.

Morpeth started the second half the way they had finished the first, dominating possession and putting York under prolonged pressure. York’s defence was again strong but the visitors finally crashed over under the posts for a converted try and 10-6 lead after 48 minutes.

York seemed unable to gain control of the ball and, after 55 minutes, Hornby added another penalty for a 13-6 lead.

York introduced their bench and this seemed to have the desired positive effect. The forwards started to control the ball allowing Toby Atkin and Liam Hessay to bring the backs into the game.

Several good moves were met with equally strong defence but the pressure was starting to build and York drew level after a penalty in midfield was kicked deep into touch by Hessay for a lineout five metres out.

A good catch and drive saw Norris crash over with Dawes converting to make it 13-13 with 11 minutes left.

Morpeth came back and, when York were offside in front of their posts, Hornby put the visitors 16-13 ahead with seven minutes to go.

But the hosts dominated possession for the remainder of the game, hammering at the Morpeth defence. Atkin made several quick sniping runs without quite breaking through the defence.

Finally, with two minutes to go, York won a penalty 30 metres out which the ever-dependable Dawes converted to level matters.

York then put the ball dead from the restart to end an enjoyable game.

Meanwhile, Selby crashed 57-21 at home to high-flying Moortown to slip to 10th in Yorkshire One. They go to fifth-placed Pontefract on Saturday.