Pirates went down 17-15 after conceding two late tries on the back of a delay to treat Farnsworth, who was injured in a cleanout.

He looked to have seriously injured his neck. A cracking sound was heard and Farnsworth couldn't move after the incident.

There was a significant delay while ambulance officers treated him and took him to hospital.

Fansworth has been released and is recovering at home in a neck brace.

Pirates were well in control of the match before Farnsworth got hurt. They were up 15-10 and the game was there for the taking.

Coffs scored two quick tries when play resumed and snatched a victory.

Pirates coach Nigel Hurlston didn't care about the result. He was pleased to hear yesterday that Farnsworth was okay.

"He's resting up at home," Hurlston said. Farnsworth's team was visibly shaken when play resumed, and the Snappers were too strong for the hosts in the closing stages.

"I don't remember us even touching the ball [after play resumed]," Hurlston said.

The floodlights came on but it was so dark, Hurlston said he could hardly see the other side of the field.

Hurlston was keen to stop the match and give both teams a point.

"Even if it was a Coffs player, I would have said abandon it," he said.

"It just didn't feel right. It makes you realise there are more things to life."

The Pirates were playing good rugby before the delay. Joel Riddle and George Jones had scored for the hosts.

They'd enjoyed plenty of possession.

"It was about 90 per cent to 10 per cent," he said.

"We were camped on their own line."

The Pirates have a bye next weekend. Hurlston wanted to forget about Saturday's result as quickly as possible.

"Write it off," he said. "The less said, the better."