Cruel blow for Panthers

Prescot Panthers 27 York 32 LUCKLESS Prescot were robbed of a badly-needed second win of the season by a cruel bounce of the ball. Trailing 27-26 with just two minutes to go, the visitors attempted to salvage a point with a drop goal only for the ball to strike the foot of an upright leaving two home defenders stranded and allowing York hooker Alan Pallister to grab a bizarre match-clinching touchdown. Earlier the Panthers had looked set for victory after building up a 21-10 half-time lead with tries by centres Karl Taylor and Andy Mercer, and veteran winger Des Drummond, plus four goals by scrum-half Mark Jackson and a drop goal by stand-off Mark Wallington. York hit back early in the second period but Mercer's second try, goalled by Jackson, looked to have secured the points for the home men until that cruel last-gasp blow.