National League Two North: Sedgley Park 27 Otley 26

FOR the second time this season, Sedgley Park scored deep into added time to deny Otley victory, the previous occasion coming in September when the margin was three points.

Despite being short of a few regulars and playing a team banking on promotion – Park were fourth before the match and second after it – Otley played out of their skins, being superior in all departments.

They recovered from an eighth-minute penalty, kicked by centre Matt Riley, by securing the restart and striking back instantly with a try for winger James Wood, skipper Stephen Depledge adding the conversion.

The big, well-organised home forwards desperately tried to take charge but they could not match Otley’s speed nor could they contain their accurate kicking, and in quick time Otley scored again through No 8 Jack Scott-Paul.

The hosts did, however, find some form, and prop Jack Warrington went over following a good backs move to settle for a 12-8 half-time deficit.

Comfortably in command, Otley added tries through flanker Matt Heaton and full back Henry Roberts, each converted by Depledge, for a deserved 26-8 lead on 62 minutes.

But after 70 minutes the contest turned when Wood was shown a yellow card, Park responding with a try from Riley, who converted both that try and one from No 8 Matt Lamprey two minutes later.

With little time remaining, Otley were further inconvenienced when Depledge was sin-binned, and the hosts took due advantage, getting replacement Sam Lowthion in for a match-winning try and sending Otley home with just two bonus points.