CITY of York were pegged back three times by Timperley and had to settle for a 3-3 draw in their Northern League senior division relegation fight.

The visitors got the last equaliser in the dying minutes but, with Harrogate and Sheffield Hallam losing, the point will help York and a decisive win next week against relegated Warrington - who lost by a league record 20-0 to Sheffield University Bankers - could see them in the clear.

York went ahead through Nick Carter's short-corner strike and, after Timperley levelled with a drag flick goal, Jimmy Gilbert squeezed the ball home in a melee. They then went a man up after a defender was sin-binned for hitting Chris Wilson's head with his stick.

However, Timperley pressed hard and a bad tackle resulted in the sending-off of Alex Gutteridge - a case of mistaken identity - as well as a penalty stroke which levelled the scores.

City regained the lead when Glyn Humphrey slipped the ball to Gilbert, who slotted home, but Timperley came back to full strength and, although a shot from a short corner was saved, they knocked in the rebound.

An Alastair Brennan hat-trick helped City of York II to win 4-0 at fellow strugglers Halifax I to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation from NHL League division two north east.

City goalkeeper Martin Parrott made good saves before York went ahead when Steve Prankett set up Brennan from a corner.

City's next goal came after the interval, Chris Allerton's short-corner strike deflecting in, before Brennan completed his hat-trick with a marvellous solo goal and a strike assisted by John Raper.

It was their best display of the season, which they followed up with a 5-1 victory over Bradford.

Brennan netted the first and John McRory doubled the lead when his mis-hit shot looped in.

Several sitters were missed and Raper had a fine shot brilliantly saved before Brennan again scored with a fluffed strike. Second half goals by Raper and Graham Cook made it safe.

A win in the return fixture should see York clear.

An under-strength City of York III, with captain Eric Folliott deputising in goal, lost 4-2 in a Yorkshire League division three grudge match against Halifax II.

York went 3-0 down but came back after the break with Matt Todd bundling one in and Ian Wiggins adding a second only for Halifax to counter.

City of York IV cancelled their match with Dinnington I.

City of York V came from behind to beat Harrogate V 6-1 in division seven, David de Silva (2), Matt Boyle (2) and James Still (2) netting. But City of York VI were hammered 7-0 by leaders Harrogate IV, though the score did not reflect the game.

City of York VII lost 5-2 at Slazengers IV in division eight, conceding four goals in 20 minutes before Ed Shouksmith netted after a dribble and Tom Jolly scored after his initial shot had lodged in the 'keeper's visor.

Relegation battlers City of York VIII drew 2-2 with division ten promotion-chasers Doncaster VI, Andy Dent netting first for the York ranks and Richard Tanner-Smith equalising.

Updated: 09:31 Tuesday, March 18, 2003