Otley 20, Preston Grasshoppers 18

OTLEY registered a third home win of the season but their inability to finish off so few of the many opportunities created kept the nerves of their followers on edge.

Grasshoppers took their chances to establish a lead, briefly lost it, and although Otley did later move ahead again, they had to desperately defend a two-point lead for the final ten minutes.

The visitors began well with a third-minute penalty from full back Lewis Allen after Otley infringed when under pressure on their line.

This was something they had to contend with quite often but they never abandoned their attacking plans and, on 21 minutes, a strong run through the middle by No 7 Jack Scott-Paul split the defence. The ball moved out to winger James Wood and he powered over in the corner.

Hoppers replied instantly, with Allen coming up to make the extra man and scoring in the corner.

They then had to struggle when losing No 6 Alastair Murray to the sin-bin but Otley were unable to take advantage and the visitors went further ahead on 38 minutes when winger Charles Hough was given an overlap to score.

Wood, handed the ball from the restart, charged down his wing and almost made the line but the ball was retained for scrum half Max Johnson to dodge over, with full back Tom Hodson converting to get Otley back within a point.

Continuing to apply pressure, Otley moved ahead on 51 minutes when prop William Rigg was driven over, Hodson converting and 11 minutes later adding a penalty.

Hoppers came good again, substitute fly half Oliver Viney crossing on 68 minutes, but the conversion to draw level was missed and Otley were able to hold out.

The narrow victory left Otley tenth in National League Two North, with Hoppers back in 14th