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Ten points clear at the top of National division one, City should have had no real problems in beating anchor club Doncaster. But the game did not run to the form-book.

Soon after the start good build-up play by Mark Little split open Doncaster's defence enabling Jimmy Gilbert to score with a reverse stick shot.

After that the visitors frustrated City before levelling as half-time neared.

City returned to their customary slickness after the break. Rob Blackburn struck a cross-field ball to Nick Carter to the left of the crown of the 'D' and he made no mistake with a fierce drive.

But Doncaster fought back immediately to equalise and could have lead when they were somewhat unjustly awarded a penalty strike.

Paul Sangwin was judged to have kicked the ball but only the umpire saw it. Fortunately for City, and for justice, James Baughan saved.

Gradually, City of York began to reassert themselves and no one was more surprised than coach Nigel Herd when defender Gordon Jennings stormed into Doncaster's circle to crack home a third goal.

There then followed a period of end to end play when both sides missed open goals but it was City who had the edge.

But, against the run of play, Doncaster mounted an attack and from an innocuous cross a striker appeared completely unmarked to strike the ball high into the net.

City made a succession of spirited attacks. Little's deft flick into goal was disallowed and his fierce rising shot from a short corner in the final seconds was palmed away leaving the hosts to settle for a draw.

City of York II would have been happy with a draw following their game with Wakefield I but they were forced to struggle almost from the first whistle, losing 4-1.

For the third game in a row City made a slow start and after 15 minutes trailed 2-0, only the goal-keeping of young Ashley Watson preventing a wider deficit.

After the interval City of York took the initiative with John McRory creating chances. After a scramble City won a short corner converted by Matt Couttie.

McRory had two attempts well saved before the game swung back to Wakefield, who scored twice more on the break.

Old foes Ben Rhydding III were toppled 4-0 by City of York III.

Edward Shouksmith cut in to the right of the 'D' before striking the ball to Jason Bemrose who scored.

After the interval only a good performance by York 'keeper Martyn Parrott and a vintage Nigel Herd display kept the scoreline clean.

City regathered their composure and Adam Jackson scored from three penalty corners.

City of York IV drew 2-2 at Harrogate III.

After withstanding severe pressure for the first 15 minutes York yielded a goal. But the set-back acted as a spur and gradually City seized the bulk of possession.

In the second half, a solo effort by Mark Dransfield gave City the lead and shortly after Ben Dutton put City ahead.

It seemed as though City would pull off a valuable victory but to York's disappointment they conceded a soft goal in the last seconds.

City of York V played a textbook first half against Brigg III with exceptionally good three and four-man moves.

But it was Brigg who opened the scoring and it wasn't until later in the half that James Still equalised in what was very much a bottom-of-the-table clash in Yorkshire division six.

The visitors scored their second before York mounted an onslaught in the last 15 minutes. But a second leveller just would not come.

City of York VI gained a fine 1-1 draw at Gainsborough II with a team including four under-14s, two of whom were making their first appearance in senior hockey.

City played skilfully but were hard done by when a Gainsborough short corner led to a strike which hit a defender's foot on the line followed by a converted penalty strike.

Gainsborough, third in division seven, were unnerved to find York having the edge for the rest of the game.

Tom Marvin had a fine game at left back, while Tom Sorby, fast becoming a regular in City VI's squad, was always a problem up front.

It was nothing more than City deserved when Doug Thompson, fired them level. Neil Reader also went close and Sorby hit the post.

City of York VII had to battle to beat Huddersfield V 1-0.

On the few occasions Huddersfield got through Matt Merrick in goal was resolute and it wasn't until the second half that the deadlock was broken.

After a melee from a City short corner, the ball came out to Chris Armstrong at the crown of the 'D' to fire home an explosive shot.

City of York VIII, virtually a development side but lacking the key component of experience, lost 9-0 to a well drilled Huddersfield VA comprising predominantly of more mature players.

Forced into defence from the first whistle, York played courageously for the first 20 minutes but then succumbed to the pressure and lost cohesion.

Despite the scoreline - 5-0 at half time - youngster Nathan Sorby in City's goal had an outstanding game and was voted by both teams as man of the match.

Updated: 12:19 Tuesday, February 19, 2002