YORK Acorn ARLC suffered a seventh successive National Conference League premier division defeat as they went down 24-14 at home to Leigh Miners Rangers.

The Blue and Golds led at the break at Thanet Road, but they were unable to keep their visitors at bay in the second period.

Miners took the lead on 14 minutes after a good break allowed scrum-half Scott O’Brien to step inside the defence to go over. Centre Jonny Youds converted.

The game was extremely tight and Acorn got their first try on the half hour when Adam Sellers regathered a speculative kick from Tom Hill to score wide out.

The Blue and Golds were enjoying some good field position and, on the stroke of half-time, some sharp passing in front of the opponents’ try line saw a gap open up for Davey Burns to crash over.

Antony Chilton converted for a four-point interval lead.

The hosts stretched the lead on 52 minutes when superb interplay on the left saw a gap open up for Ryan Gallacher, who zipped in at the corner from 40 yards.

Miners continued to press and slack defence allowed Daryl Kay to go over on 60 minutes, with Youds converting.

Only three minutes later, playmaker O’Brien managed to ground the ball after darting from a play-the-ball.

The reliable Youds again converted to give Rangers a four-point lead.

With both sides having opportunities to score in the final quarter defences held out until the final play of the game.

Leigh winger Ryan Monaghan intercepted a pass by Hill to race 60 yards unopposed to score. Youds again converted to round off the scoring.

Acorn again turned in a 100 per cent performance that failed to be rewarded with the points.

Davey Burns took the Acorn man of the match award, but Jordan Hyde, Tyrone Rowe and Joe Budd also had outstanding matches.

In division three, Heworth lost 42-16 at Hindley.