YORK City suffered a third straight pre-season defeat against Sheffield Wednesday but enjoyed more of an even contest than in their previous outings against Doncaster and Middlesbrough.

Paul Groves gave the Minstermen an early lead but goals by Chris Brunt and Lee Peacock gave Wednesday the victory in front of an impressive 1,800-strong travelling army.

There were definite signs of encouragement for City supporters however.

Goalscorer Groves was a steadying influence in midfield and Chris Clarke provided a strong presence at the back, taking on an added responsibility in the absence of rested skipper Steve Davis.

Teenage defenders Graeme Law and Sean Davies also turned in mature performances that suggested both can play parts in City's first Nationwide Conference season.

Further up the field, the home side slightly lacked attacking potency as Andy Bishop had his quietest match in a City shirt and fellow summer signing Paul Robinson still appears to be finding his feet.

Groves opened the scoring after 100 seconds when he stuck out a boot to meet Darren Dunning's corner and the ball crossed the line despite Wednesday's attempts to clear the danger.

Dunning's free kick then forced visiting keeper Ola Tidman into an elaborate save as City started impressively against their League One opponents.

Wednesday gradually improved and, on 21 minutes, the eye-catching Brunt sent Adam Proudlock clear on goal but the former Wolves striker sidefooted wide after Paul Crichton had charged off his line.

A minute later, the Owls equalised as City conceded another soft goal, which will be the chief cause of concern for player-boss Chris Brass after three friendly defeats.

Young midfielder Matthew Coad lost possession on the halfway line and, when former Southampton midfielder Chris Marsden found Proudlock on the right flank, Wednesday suddenly found themselves in a two on one situation.

Proudlock simply rolled the ball across the box for Brunt to turn into an empty net and score a goal that was far too easily conceded.

Early in the second half, City assistant manager Lee Nogan fashioned out a chance for himself and beat Tidman with a delicate chip only for Paul Heckingbottom to clear off the line.

But Wednesday went in front on 69 minutes when Crichton failed to hold Brunt's stinging 20-yard drive and new signing Lee Peacock followed up to beat the trialist goalkeeper from close range.

Brass had sent on trialist strikers Jonny Rowan and Paul Brayson moments earlier and both went close to snatching an equaliser in the closing stages.

First, Rowan had his shot turned over by Tidman after a smart turn in the penalty box then a 25-yard Brayson effort was tipped around the post.

City: Paul Crichton, Graeme Law, Chris Clarke, Chris Brass (Paul Dunn, 40), Sean Davies, Gary Pearson (Matthew Coad, 7, Kane Ashcroft, 59), Paul Groves (Adam Arthur, 80), Darren Dunning, Lee Nogan (Paul Brayson, 65), Andy Bishop (Jonny Rowan, 65) Paul Robinson (David Merris, 80).

Sheff Wed: Ola Tidman, Lee Bullen, Paul Heckingbottom, Graeme Lee, Patrick Collins, Chris Marsden (Dave Cockerill, 68), John-Paul McGovern (Matt Hamshaw, 46), Lewis McMahon (Glenn Whelan, 46), Steven MacLean (Guylain Nsungu-Ndumbu, 66), Adam Proudlock (Lee Peacock, 46), Chris Brunt (Paul Smith, 81).

Updated: 09:54 Monday, July 26, 2004