Wigginton Grasshoppers almost paid dear for a late defensive lapse in a thriller of a York FA Sunday Morning Senior Cup tie against Thorpe United.

The Grasshoppers dominated the opening proceedings with Luke Roberts' free-kick drawing a fine finger-tip save from Thorpe goalkeeper Glen Cutler.

However, just before half time Cutler had no chance as he was beaten by Tom Coates who had been teased in by a Jamie Seal through pass.

Wigginton's John Alcock hit a drive that clipped the crossbar in the second half, but he had better luck when he opened the Thorpe defence for Dean Kilbade to add the second.

Yet more chances were created, but all were squandered and ten minutes from time Thorpe's Craig Whitely whacked in a 20-yard drive that set up a grandstand finish. Grasshoppers survived, but only just, to reach the semi-finals.

Despite a storming fight-back Deramore Arms lost an 11-goal thriller to cup specialists Hounds.

By half-time Hounds led 4-1 only for Deramore to come raging back before they finally bowed out, beaten 6-5. On target for Hounds were Matthew Stephenson (2), Alan Jackson, Daniel Crowther, Darren Rollinson and John Carter, while the Deramore marksmen were Steven Jackson (2), Mark Triffit (2) and Peter Mullen.

One of the most relieved teams in the York FA Sunday Junior Cup were Kingsway Riders.

Early in the second half the Riders led F1 Racing 4-1 through goals from Alfie Dear (2), Rudi Dear and Peter Barras. But by the 87th-minute it was all-square at 4-4. Then, as extra time loomed Kingsway were awarded a penalty, which Brian Baxter executed to bag a place in the next round.

A late winner from Dave Robinson - his second goal of the tie - enabled Copmanthorpe to see off plucky visitors Castle Howard Ox. Besides Robinson's brace, Nick Lincoln was also on target. The Ox plunder was shared between Richard Day and Ben Watling.

Hail Miller

JAMIE Miller netted a hat-trick and David Bradshaw twice as Saville AV hammered Knavesmire 9-2 in the York FA Sunday Afternoon Cup.

St John's College got three early goals from Michael Horsefield, Darren Renwick and Matt Moore against Rawcliffe United, whose Mickey Martin pulled a goal back by half-time.

In a more even second half, Moore added a further goal to give College a 4-1 victory.

Updated: 08:58 Thursday, December 04, 2003