YORK City's youth team have returned home disappointed having failed to retain their top international title - despite not conceding a goal throughout the tournament.

City's boys, all of whom were under-18s, were competing in the Candia-66 International Under-20s Tournament, in Rhenen, Holland.

They won two and drew two of their four group games, but finished second in the table and thus failed to qualify for the top four.

They instead went into the plate semi-final, which they won before beating Sparta Rotterdam 2-0 in the final, thanks to strikes from winger Kieron Darlow and top scorer Richard Whitfield, who finished with five tournament goals.

City had won this Candia-66 competition last year, again without conceding a goal, and, although they sent a slightly younger team this year, their ultimate fifth place (out of 20 teams from all over Europe) was a touch disappointing.

Assistant youth team coach Brian Neaves said: "We were slightly aggrieved that we did not win it. The boys are annoyed because they know they could have lifted the trophy.

"We played six games in all and did not lose one match or concede one goal. We have not conceded a goal now in two years in this event."

Goalkeeper Russell Howarth - who starred when York won the trophy last year - only played one game this time round, as he was being rested following his trip last week to Singapore, in which he represented a Leeds United side.

He did not concede a goal in that competition (Leeds were knocked out on penalties in the quarter-finals), and his clean sheet displays were match in Holland by young shot-stopper Jon Collinson.

City are to unveil their new away strip tomorrow. Click on www.this.york.co.uk tomorrow or get the Evening Press to see what the new kit looks like.