VICTORY against Wakefield slipped through City of York Hockey Club's men's II grasp in controversial fashion.

York appeared to be on course for maximum points in the North League Division Two East when they led 2-1.

But with two minutes to go Paul Sangwin was floored when tackling a Wakefield raider who went on to level.

A furious Sangwin protested and his dissent earned him a red card.

Earlier, Wakefield's lead was scrubbed out by Rob Anderson's penalty.

York stepped up the pressure and were rewarded when a flick from Chris Dutton was saved by the Wakefield goalkeeper but the ball rebounded to Matt Redwood to score.

City of York I began the second half of their Yorkshire premier division term with a heavy 5-0 defeat at Oxton.

Despite having only 12 players, one of whom was carrying a long-standing injury, York began brightly and there was little to choose between the teams in the first half.

Things altered dramatically in the second period when Oxton ran away with the game, three of their goals coming in the final quarter.

Although City net-minder Ashley Watson made two good saves, York played some decent stuff, the winning margin flattering Oxton, who completed a double over York.

Two goals by Graham Cook, the first set up by Richard Cockram, earned City of York III a 2-1 friendly victory over Durham City I from North East Division One.

One of the highlights of the game was a sensational solo run by Matt Todd, who then narrowly missed with his shot at goal.

City of York IV went down 3-2 at Leeds III in Yorkshire League division four.

They trailed after only five minutes before the game was temporarily halted by a hailstorm.

Leeds went 2-0 up on the resumption and added a third goal early in the second half.

York belatedly began to play some flowing hockey which brought goals for Andy Wilson and Jules Bellerby, but they could not find an equaliser.

City of York V became the first division five side to lose to Sheffield University Bankers VII.

They went down 2-1 after Sam Lynn's individual effort gave them the lead.

Bankers drew level with a controversial goal - a free-hit from just outside York's circle.

Then with ten minutes left, Tom Sorby's reckless challenge gifted Bankers a short corner from which they scored.

City of York VI beat York St John's I 4-3 to move ahead of them in division seven.

Les Reed gave York the lead, but the students hit back to go 2-1 up. Goals by Reed (2) and Greg Sykes saw the lead change hands again before St John's pulled a goal back.

Nick Downes, James Still and Stuart Burke played well for York, particularly in the final minutes as the students chased an equaliser.

Updated: 10:30 Tuesday, January 11, 2005