There were various cries of “held-up,” “double movement” and “not over the line” - all to no avail. Regardless, West will have to learn that harsh lesson and move on for what still promises to be an exciting season.

Two weeks ago both Middlesbrough and Northern were the two fancied sides for promotion from Regional 2 North. Last week West won at Acklam Park, and only have themselves to blame for not getting one over on Northern.

The Brinkburn side enjoyed a dominant first half with the Northern pack going backwards at a rate of knots - having to rely on No 8 Will Hodgson to keep them afloat.

West went ahead after ten minutes when skipper Ryan Painter sold a great dummy to create space for Ollie Connolly. He was able to go in under the posts with Siddle giving the side a seven-point lead.

Five minutes later that lead was stretched to 14 points - Adam Hutchinson finishing off a catch and drive. Siddle adding the conversion from out wide on the right.

The dominance of the home pack kept Northern pinned in their half, and it was little surprise when West stretched took the score to 21-0. The catch and drive, added to that powerful scrum, was proving too potent for the Northern defenders with Will Corbett unstoppable from close rang e and Siddle again adding the extras.

Northern finally rallied on the half hour with a break through the middle from scrum half Harvey Guthrie. He was able to offload to speedy prop Cole Cartmell to go over just too wide for Will Jobling’s conversion attempt.

Thoughts of a Northern rally were still distant, and their chances looked even worse when full back Sam Knight scored the try of the game to give his side an early bonus point. The young full back came into the line inside the Northern half and he jinked inside two covering players (above) to create a gap with a clear run to the line.

Siddle missed his first kick of the afternoon,  but at 26-5 West were still looking odds on to go on to win easily, even when Northern pulled another try back with Evans going over from close range. Jobling adding the conversion.

It was 26-12 at the break with Northern ringing the changes in the front row. However, West kept the pressure on and when a replacement prop was yellow-carded for changing his bind they took advantage.

Northern’s scrum close to their line was shunted back at a rate of knots and, as centre Nyle Godsmark failed to deal with the loose ball over his line, Isaac Robinson was swift to dot down. Siddle stretching his side’s lead to 21 points with 55 minutes played.

That margin was reduced three minutes later with full back Robbie Griffin benefitting after winger Ali Gray had broken free and Jobling converting.

West still looked comfortable, but were dealt a blow when  Andrew Rollins followed Aidan Jackson-Smith to the bin as West conceded four penalties in their own 22.

That was the cue for the Northern pack to exert some pressure of their own, and it was their turn to use the catch and drive to great effect. Second row Rob Lenderyou touching down and Jobling taking the score to 33-26.

Now just one score behind, the visitors continued to press and West were dealt another blow when No 8 Chris Atkins had to go off after lengthy treatment.

While West were readjusting Northern’s fightback continued and they were able to draw level with ten minutes left. The try came from No. 8 Hodgson who completed an impressive afternoon going over under the posts from the base of a scrum.

At half-time the odds on a draw would have been enormous and, as the minutes ticked down,  both sides looked like they would be happy with three points each.

But the drama was not over as the clock went past the 40 minutes mark,  with referee Tom Howard awarding West that penalty kick just outside the 22. Siddle’s attempt was high and handsome.

It left  home supporters hoping it would herald the final whistle with five points in the bag. However, Mr Howard’s watch said otherwise – and so did Paul Evans.

A bitter pill to swallow for West but when the dust settles, and with a few lessons learnt,  the future looks bright.

West: Sam Knight, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Max Tennant, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Andrew Rollins, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Will Corbett, Jake Linighan, Alex Barker, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins.

Reps (all used): Liam Pennick, Nick Bennions, Zac Southern.

Tries: Connolly, Hutchinson, Corbett, Knight, Robinson.

Cons: Siddle (4)

Pen: Siddle.

Yellow: Jackson--Smith, Rollins

Northern: Robbie Griffin, Will Atkin, Thomas Chandler, Nyle Godsmark, Ali Gray, Will Jobling, Harvey Guthrie, Cole Cartmell, Kyle Blackmore, Josh Coombs, Rob Lenderyou, Dominic Warby, Tom McCullough (capt), Paul Evans, Will Hodgson.

Reps (all use) Liam Mullick, Aaron Moslemi, Sam Gaff.

Tries: Cartmell, Evans (2), Griffin, Lenderyou, Hodgson.

Cons: Jobling (5)

Yellow: Evans, Blackmore, Moslemi.

Referee: Tom Howard (Yorkshire Federation).