Keighley Albion 15 New Earswick 16 - After last week's stunning performance Albion returned to Crossflatts looking for their second double of the season.

In the early exchanges Albion gave as good as they got, but mistakes in attack cost them dear. New Earswick got on top with a well taken try by wingman Gary Isles, this was after some good open play and gave the visitors a 4-0 lead.

Albion's scrambling defence was under pressure and from a drop out under the posts Dean Brookes put the kick out on the full to give New Earswick a penalty which Carl Pallister converted.

Minutes later scrum-half Alex Daves fed centre John Leach who strode under the posts and Carl Pallister duly tagged on the extra two points to give Easrwick a 12-point lead.

Albion were rattled and handling let them down on more than one occasion. On 34 mins New Earswick's Alex Daves spoke out of turn and was dispatched to the sin-bin for 10 minutes giving Albion a life line. Following a scrum in the visitors' 20 metre area some good play eventually saw John Gwilliam's reverse pass sawCraig Morphett power over for a try.

Dean Brookes converted as Albion got on the score sheet for the first time in the game. This was the last score of the half in which New Earswick just deserved their 12-6 lead.

Albion's half time pep talk was vociferous to say the least but it appeared to have worked as they put the visitors' line under pressure. Following two sets of six in their 20 metre area Albion finally got the ball out wide with no fewer than six players touching the ball for Matt Horne to go over wide out.

The kick from the touch line fell short of its mark but Albion were only two points behind. From the restart Albion drove the play back into New Earswick's last quarter through Craig Morphett's strong running and on the last tackle Bobby Brown dropped a goal to add to Albion's total at 11points to 12.

From the restart Albion put themselves under more pressure when they lost the ball in the tackle and the New Earswick wingman Dan Wellard dived in at the corner to put there noses out in front again 11-16.

Richard Harrison and Craig Morphett were leading Albion's charge forcefully towards the visitor's line and as the minutes ticked away Bobby Brown and Rob Haughey combined to send Rob Bailey on a run for the try line. After beating his opposite number he ran back across the in-goal area to touch down mid-way between the posts and the corner flag.

All Albion required was the goal kick to secure a last gasp victory but it was not to be as Dean Brookes pushed the ball wide of the posts.

Only two tackles after the re-start the ref blew for full time. In a game littered by mistakes aplenty from both sides New Earswick had held on to their lead by a single point.

The visitors were well served by Carl Pallister and Mike Harrison whilst Albion's Craig Morphett, Richard Harrison and Bobby Brown played well though this was a game that the whole team will want to forget.

n Albion take a break from Conference League action this weekend and play host to Pilkington Recs from St Helens in the 2nd round of the BNF/BARLA National Cup at Crossflatts with a 2-00 kick off.

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