BATTLING Malton & Norton were denied a draw by the width of an upright as they were edged out 10-8 at home by Percy Park.

A share-all in Saturday’s North One East clash at the Gannock would have been a just result, but Teei Piawi’s twice-taken last-gasp conversion attempt struck a post and rebounded out.

This defeat followed a disappointing loss to lowly Old Crossleyans last week, and next up is a trip to table-toppers Middlesbrough on Saturday (2.15pm).

Club spokesman Bill Laidler said: “This was a much more committed performance from Malton against a side who will be among the front runners at the end of the season.

“If they can find a little more invention and subtlety in midfield, the close losses will become wins.”

The visitors led 3-0 at the break and then 10-3 heading in the closing exhanges, but hooker Alex Whitaker grabbed a try for Malt to set up Piawi’s crucial kick.

On the first attempt the Park players charged too early so he was given another chance, but he was unable to snatch a draw.

The first half had seen both sides sparring for control but both made far too many errors to capitalise.

Malton went closest to scoring a try after a good break took wing Henry Newitt into the visitors’ 22-metre area before he was cruelly cut down by a high tackle, which earned a yellow card for the offending player.

Having gained the field position and with Percy Park reduced to 14 men, Malton opted for the scrum but knocked the ball forward.

The half was a stalemate until the closing minute when Park were awarded a penalty after Malton transgressed at a ruck. Fly-half Marcus Rutter’s successful kick gave Percy Park the half-time lead.

An excellent restart from Piawi got Malton going in the second half and Percy Park failed to gather the kick and were caught offside. Piawi added the goal to level the scores.

Almost immediately, Park hit back. A needless knock-on near the Malton 22-metre line gave Park a scrum.

A neat move wheeled the scrum just enough to allow the number eight to tee up a try for scrum-half John Scott and Rutter added the extras.

Percy Park should have increased their lead a few minutes later but saw a penalty rebound to safety.

The visitors were again reduced in numbers after another sin-binning for yet another high tackle.

However, before they could take advantage, Malton were similarly hampered when flanker Andy Mitchell received a likewise punishment for getting on the wrong side of a ruck.

Once restored to full strength, Malton mustered an onslaught and pressured the line for the closing minutes.

Several phases of play were won and the pack trundled forward for Whitaker to touch down and cap another fine performance.

But with Piawi’s kick hitting an upright, it was a case of so near yet so far for Malt.

Malton: I Cooke, J Saunders, B Woodhouse, T Piawi, H Newitt, C Creber, T Collard, P Dobson(T Francis 60mins), A Whitaker, L Vaughan, D Foster, R Webster, A Mitchell, S Triffitt, M Bradshaw(G Harrison 65 mins).